cxxxii GENERAL SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFIC AND 



shortly to leave England for the purpose of making a survey 

 of the coast of Africa opposite the Canary Islands, with a 

 view of finding a suitable position for a harbor and a com- 

 mercial and missionary station ; to enter into commercial 

 arrangements with the native tribes ; to inquire into their 

 present means of commerce and the resources of the coun- 

 tries through which it is proposed to pass. It was proposed 

 also to examine as far as practicable the sand-bar across the 

 mouth of the River Belta, which is supposed to keep the 

 waters of the Atlantic Ocean from flowing into the dry bed 

 of the ancient inland sea ; and also to obtain levels and 

 other necessary information. 



Mr. M'Kenzie, whose name has been previously mentioned 

 in connection with the project of converting the interior of 

 Northern Africa into an inland sea, from the west coast 

 rather than the north, is director of the party. 



Australia and Polynesia. The most interesting advance in 

 our knowledge of the resjion embraced within this district is 

 that which relates to New Guinea, several expeditions hav- 

 ing been engaged in exploring the accessible portions of the 

 coast. In May last the bark Chevert was fitted out by Mr. 

 William Macleay for the purpose of geographical and bio- 

 logical exploration ; and, accompanied by a picked crew of 

 twenty men, a physician, and four zoological and three bo- 

 tanical collectors, and provided with a steam-launch, he left 

 on the 18th of that month. Their route was by way of 

 Percy, Palm, Brookes, and Cape York Islands ; and at the end 

 of six weeks the Chevert dropped anchor oft* the mouth of 

 the Katow River, close to the New Guinea village called 

 Mobato. The steam-launch was then fitted out for an ex- 

 ploration up the Katow, which at its mouth is 200 yards 

 wide. It was, however, impossible to proceed very high up, 

 in consequence of the obstruction from the trees. Return- 

 ing, and finding a second attempt impracticable, sail was 

 made for Darnley Island, where some time was occupied in 

 killing the large pigeons of Torres Strait. They then pro- 

 ceeded to Hall's Sound, on the east side of the Papuan Gulf, 

 and anchored off Yule Island, where they found an Italian 

 naturalist, D'Albertis, who has been engaged for so many 

 years in the exploration of the northern coast of New Guinea. 

 From this point the Chevert proceeded to Somerset Island 



