ON THE PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. 13 



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has sailed for the purpose of endeavoring to establish relations of amity and 

 commerce with the Empire of Japan. Looking to the magnitude of the 

 undertaking, and the great expectations which have been raised both in this 

 country and in Europe, in reference to its results, this expedition is full 

 of interest, and will undoubtedly be productive of many valuable results, 

 scientific, as well as commercial and moral. The expedition has on board 

 a variety of articles as presents to the Emperor of Japan, to conciliate him 

 and 'prepare the way for the desired negotiation. A locomotive and a 

 quantity of railroad iron have been taken with which to show the operations 

 of a railroad; telegraph apparatus with which to demonstrate how the 

 lightnings have been converted to the use of civilization. An apparatus for 

 taking daguerreotypes will also be used and explained for the information 

 of His Majesty. A beautiful barge is on board to be presented to him. 

 Also, boxes of domestic goods, comprising a great variety of manufactured 

 articles, which are to give the Emperor an idea of the industrial pursuits of 

 this country, and perhaps awaken a desire on his part for an exchange of 

 commodities between Japan and the United States. 



Somewhat allied in character and importance to these projected opera* 

 tions of the Japan squadron, is the expedition now prepared for the explor- 

 ation and survey of the China seas, the Northern Pacific, and Bhering's 

 Straits. This expedition, in aid of which $125,000 has been appropriated 

 by Congress, is provided with a corps of scientific men, an astronomer 

 hydrographer, botanist and naturalist. 



Under the direction of the Navy department, Lt. Lynch, well-known from 

 his connection with the Dead Sea Expedition, has been detailed on a tour of 

 African exploration, especially of that portion of the Continent lying east of 

 the settlements of Liberia. It is supposed that an exploration of this region 

 would lead to the discovery of a broad tract of fertile and healthy country, 

 well adapted to the extension of that system of colonization, which for 

 some years past has greatly interested public attention in the United States. 

 Lt. Lynch will land at Liberia, Cape Palmas, and other points, and will pur- 

 sue his inquiries as far as the river Gaboon, with a view to the ascertain- 

 ment of such localities on the margin of the African continent as may 

 present the greatest facilities, whether by the river courses or by inland 

 routes, for penetrating with the least hazard into the interior. He will col- 

 lect information touching the geographical character of the country; its 

 means of affording the necessary supplies of men and provisions ; the tem- 

 per of the inhabitants, whether hostile or friendly; the proper precautions to 

 be observed to secure the health of a party employed, and all other items 

 of knowledge upon which it may be proper hereafter, to prepare and com- 

 bine the forces essential to the success of a complete and thorough explor- 

 ation of the interior , 



