1908-1909年克拉克探险队在黄土高原地区的考察——基于《穿越陕甘》的探讨

The Exploration of the Clark Expedition in Loess Plateau during 1908-09

1908-1909年,美国克拉克探险队在黄土高原腹地的晋、陕、甘等省区进行了480余天的综合科学考察,行程3200余公里,沿途进行动物标本收集、地图测绘、气象观测等活动,对途经地区的气象、地貌、水文、植被、动物、城镇、商贸、人口、交通等内容进行了广泛调查和记述,是清代后期西方人对黄土高原地区自然和人文地理状况最为系统的一次考察。本文以《穿越陕甘》的记述为中心,结合相关英文文献,重点阐述克拉克探险队的组建过程、行经路线、调查方法、考察内容等,并与同一时期其他欧美探险队进行比较,以客观评价克拉克探险队的考察收获。

The Clark Expedition of America had been exploring in the hinterland of Loess Plateau in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu for over 480 days during 1908--09. In their journey of 3200 kin, the members collected specimens of animals, surveyed landform, drew maps and observed weather. At the same time, they investigated and recorded many aspects of physical and human geography of Loess Plateau carefully, such as topography, hydrography, vegetation, animals, towns, business, popula- tion and traffic etc. This exploration was the most systemic one of westerners for the condition of Loess Plateau in Late Qing Dynasty. Based on Through Shen-kan and other correlative documents, this paper discussed the organizing process, traveling route, investigation ways and contents of the Clark Expedition, and compared it with other coetaneous western expeditions in order to evaluate its accom- plishments justly.