Scientific Study in New
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Hebrides
FOUR members of the Oxford University scientific expedition to the New Hebri des, Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Baker, Miss I.
Baker, and Mr. T. F. Bird, arrived in Syd ney on February 26 by the Morinda. Dr. and Mrs. Baker sailed by the Otranto on February 28 for England. Miss Baker and Mr. Bird intend to stay a while in Australia before returning home.
Mr. T. H. Harrison and the Australian member of the expedition, Mr. A. J. Marshall, remained in the new Hebrides.
Dr. Baker said that the geographical work of the expedition in Espiritu Santo, the largest island, had been successful. The two highest mountains in the group, Tab wemasana (6195 feet) and Santo Peak (5500 feet), had been climbed for the first time.
The largest river in the New Hebrides, the Yora, or Jordan, had been traced to its source, which-was found unexpectedly on Santo Peak, and a large part of the in terior of the island had been mapped. A study had also been made of the eruptive region on Gana Island.
Dr. Baker brought with him some living specimens of island fruit-bats and mega podes (brush turkeys), which he is taking home for the Oxford Zoo. A study will be made of the effect of the change of climate on breeding seasons. The expedition has made a large botanical Collection for the British Museum.
Anthropological studies, chiefly directed towards the problem of depopulation, have also been undertaken. Results are not yet complete, but Dr. Baker expects that they will be interesting.