led the main object of so many expeditions, and given an entirely new character to the geography of Africa, fell naturally to be noticed at some length. The opportunity has also been taken to bring down to the present date the accounts of the British settlements at Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast, and the Cape of Good Hope; and from recent materials a full description has been given of the interesting colony which the Americans have formed on the western coast under the name of Liberia.-The map was originally constructed with care, according to the best authorities then possessed, and various additions have now been made in order to illustrate the new discoveries and settlements. The Narrative of these successive Travels and Expeditions has been contributed by Mr HUGH MURRAY. The Geological Illustrations have been furnished by PROFESSOR JAMESON; and for the interesting and very ample account of the Natural History the reader is indebted to Mr JAMES WILSON, author of "Illustrations of Zoology," and the principal contributor in that branch of science to the new edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. The present volume, having for its main object the History of Discovery and Adventure, does not include the countries on the Mediterranean coast, which, from the earliest ages, have been well known to the nations of Europe.-Egypt, again, from its high antiquity, its stupendous monuments, and the memorable revolutions through which it has passed, has afforded ample materials for a separate volume. The same may be said of the extensive countries of Nubia and Abyssinia,—a work descriptive of which is now in the press. So varied are the subjects introduced into this work, that, in order to do justice to them, it was found necessary, on its first publication, to exceed very considerably the limits to which the volumes of the EDINBURGH CABINET LIBRARY must in general be confined. From the new matter introduced into the present edition, a still farther extension has become indispensable; but in order to prevent the volume from acquiring too great a bulk, the scientific chapters have been printed in a smaller though a very distinct type. As the Publishers, however, have made no increased charge on account of these enlargements, the reader, it is presumed, will appreciate the motives which, in the present instance, have induced them to incur the additional expense. EDINBURGH, 28th May 1832. CONTENTS. GENERAL VIEW OF THE NATURAL FEATURES OF AFRICA. Introductory Observations-Its Situation on the Globe-Extensive Deserts-Mountains and Rivers-Vegetable Life-Animal Life -Social Aspect-Striking Contrasts which it presents,.. Page 17 KNOWLEDGE OF AFRICA AMONG THE ANCIENTS. Northern Africa well known-Obstacles opposed by the Desert- Description given by Herodotus-by Diodorus-by Strabo- Ancient Accounts of the Nile-of Ethiopia-of Abyssinia-Ex- pedition sent by Necho-Journey of the Nasamones-Voyage of Decline of Portuguese Maritime Power-Company formed in Eng- land to explore the Gambia-Richard Thompson-His Death— French Settlement on the Senegal-Jannequin's Voyage Voyages EARLY PROCEEDINGS OF THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. Niger-Negotiations with the King of Bambarra-Obtains Per- Great Expedition planned under Tuckey and Peddie-Captain Tuckey reaches the Congo-Difficulties encountered - Great Sickness-Disastrous Issue-Major Peddie arrives at Kacunda -His Death-Captain Campbell advances into the Foulah Ter- Arrangements with the Court of Tripoli-The Travellers arrive there-Journey to Mourzouk-Difficulties-Agreement with Boo Khalloom-Departure-The Desert-Tibboos and Tuaricks- Arrival at the Lake Tchad The Yeou-Kouka-Visit to the Sheik―The Sultan-Description of Bornou-Denham's Excur- sion to Mandara-Great Range of Mountains-Disastrous Ex- pedition-War against the Mungas-Excursion to Loggun- Expedition against the La Salas-Biddoomahs-Clapperton's |