The Scientific Results of the Second Yarkand Mission, based upon the Collections and Notes of the late Dr. F. Stoliczka

Abstract

BY the above publication the India Government and Dr. Stoliczka's scientific friends have raised a most enduring monument to the memory of one whose loss is still felt throughout the vrorld of science. Born in Moravia in 1838, Ferdinand Stoliczka was destined by his father, a colonel in the Austrian army, for the Church; but, as better luck would have it, having taken his degree of Ph.D. in the University of Vienna, he at once obtained a post more in harmony with his tastes in the Vienna Geologische Reichsanstalt, where he laboured until 1862, when he was appointed by the late Prof. Oldham to the responsible position of palæontologist to the Geological Survey of India. His special work in the Survey will be to all time remembered. It forms four of the splendid volumes of the “Palæontologica Indica,” all of which, with the exception of one paper by Mr. Blanford, are from the pen of Dr. Stoliczka. Although his chief fame will ever rest on his palæontological work, he was not unknown as a zoologist, and several important papers of his on living forms could be easily called to mind. Considering his age when snatched away from his work and friends, he had accomplished much, and had he lived, would surely have accomplished more. In Mr. V. Ball's recently published “Jungle Life in India” we get a glimpse of Stoliczka as the enthusiastic naturalist visiting the Nicobars. In July, 1873, a mission was sent to the Ameer of Káshghar and Yárkand, under the charge of Sir T. D. Forsyth. Starting from Murree in the Panjáb Hills on July 5, the mission to which Dr. Stoliczka was attached reached Leh, in Ladák, on August 27. After a halt of about a fortnight the journey was continued over the Sakti Pass to Lukong on the Pankong Lake. Yárkand was reached on November 8, and Káshghar on December 4. From Káshghar several excursions were made, Dr. Stoliczka visiting the Chadyr Lake just inside the Russian frontier, and proceeding at another time as far north-east as the Belowti Pass on the road to Ush Turfán.

The Scientific Results of the Second Yarkand Mission, based upon the Collections and Notes of the late Dr. F. Stoliczka.

Published by Order of the Government of India. (Calcutta, 1878–79.)