Abstract
DR. GOTTSCHE, formerly a professor in the University of Tokio, has, as we have already intimated, returned to Europe after a long journey in Korea, during which he acquired much information with regard to that country. The length of his journey was over two thousand miles, and he visited all the eight provinces of Korea, as well as 84 out of the 350 districts. The main object of Dr. Gottsche's explorations was to ascertain whether coal and other useful minerals existed in the country; but, on account of influential support which he received he was able to obtain from the native authorities information with regard to the population, taxation, harvests, trade, &c. He has also collected much statistical information which is wholly new and which it is expected will show that the recent English consular reports are quite incorrect. Amongst others the population of the peninsula has been greatly underrated. It has generally been put down at nine millions, whereas it really is over twelve millions, for the official census from which the former estimate is taken only takes into account adults, Dr. Gottsche's principal stations on the journey were Soul, Ichhon, Kwisan, Mangyong, Kyongyn, Pusan, Changwon, Cwangyn, Chinsan, &c. He was 138 days en route, and, although this was not rapid, he was compelled to neglect some branches of investigation, such as botany and zoology, for his main business was with geology. In this respect Korea appears to belong to the bordering Manchuria. He found but few traces of the high development which the art and science of the country reached in early ages, and which made it the instructress of Japan. Dr. Gottsche, it is said, intends publishing an account of his journey.
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Geographical Notes . Nature 32, 232–233 (1885). https://doi.org/10.1038/032232b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/032232b0