108 Scientific Expeditions. 



to the sub-genus Aigoceros, and the discoverer has proposed 

 to name it A. niger, Sable Antelope. The specimen has been 

 admirably stuffed by M. Verreaux, of Cape Town, and its dis- 

 posal to some public collection is contemplated, with a view 

 of defraying the expenses of the exploring party, who were 

 so fortunate as to effect its capture : no other individual of 

 the species having been seen in Europe, or indeed known to 

 African travellers. 



By accounts received from M. Russegger, dated Urbeith, 

 the capital of Kordofan, on the limits of the explored part 

 of north-eastern Africa, M. R. found the White Nile swarm- 

 ing with Hippopotami and crocodiles, and the primitive fo- 

 rests in those regions crowded with new species of birds, 

 apes, &c. He left the White Nile near Ternah, where it 

 is still a noble river; and on his way to Urbeith, (travel- 

 ling nine days on dromedaries), saw the tracks of Giraffes. 

 A second communication from the same traveller and place, 

 states, that he has travelled to the south as far as 10° N. 

 L. with an escort of 300 regular infantry, and 140 horse, 

 all Berbers. The farther he advanced to the south, the more 

 fertile became the country. Palm-trees, with smooth trunks, 

 80 feet in height ; sotor-trees, heavily laden with fruit and 

 flowers ; Adansonias, measuring 50 feet in circumference ; — 

 excited the astonishment of the beholder. Antelopes, leo- 

 pards, lions and elephants, were observed in great numbers 

 in the forests. After ten days they reached the gold works 

 of Djebel-Tira. The gold is washed from the alluvial soil 

 of the rivulets at the foot of the mountains. This part of 

 Africa was never before trodden by a European. 



The latest news from M. Schimper, (who, after having re- 

 turned from a journey in Egypt and Arabia, made during the 

 years 1834 — 36, with rich collections for the W^urtemberg 

 Society for encouraging the travels of natural philosophers, 

 has set out for Abyssinia), are from Adowa, the residence 

 of Ras Ubie, who is the ruler of the part of Abyssinia call- 

 ed Tigre. He set out in November, 1836, travelling by 

 Dshidda and Massawa, where he arrived in January, 1837, 

 and on by Arkiko and Haley, to Adowa. His journey was 

 attended with much danger, as well as pecuniary loss, be- 

 cause two Frenchmen had killed a native of Abyssinia, a 

 short time before he reached that countiy. He was, however 

 well received by King Ubie, as he was the bearer of an intro- 

 ductory letter from the consul-general of Austria, at Cairo. 

 At Adowa M. Schimper is awaiting fresh funds, to enable 

 him to continue his journey. He lives at the house of the 

 English missionaries ; and intends next to pay a visit to the 



