444 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS- AFRICA. [Mat 25, 1857. 



be dead, and are now happily among us, I still entertain some hope, 

 that the able and accomplished young Vogel may have escaped with 

 rough treatment and detention only, and that he may return to re- 

 ceive the highest reward which this Society can offer for deter- 

 mining the true position of so many important sites of Central 

 Africa. 



Renewed Expedition to the Niger.— Yvovn the explorations in Central 

 Africa, which have been progressing from the time of Mungo Park 

 to the present day, let us now turn to the consideration of the ex- 

 pedition which has just been sent out to explore those central 

 parts of Africa, watered by the Niger or Kwara * and its tributaries, 

 and which, recommended to the attention of H. M.'s Government 

 by the Eoyal Geographical Society and the British Association for 

 the Advancement of Science, is commanded by our associate, Dr. 

 Baikie, who so successfully led the party on the former occasion. 

 Our members will also be glad to hear that this officer is accom- 

 panied by the same intelligent surveyor, Mr. May, r.n., who was 

 his companion during the previous voyage up the Chadda or 

 Benue ; by Lieut. Glover, e.n., well acquainted with surveying 

 and astronomical observation ; by Assistant-Surgeon Davis, r.n., 

 and by collectors of natural history specimens ; whilst it is expected 

 that the well-known Church Missionary, the Eev. Samuel Crowther, 

 may also join the expedition on the coast. 



The vessel for ascending the rivers is the Day-Spring, an iron 

 screw steamer of 170 tons burthen, prepared by Mr. Macgregor 

 Laird, combining 30-horse power with less than 5 feet draught 

 of water, and arranged to carry three months' provisions and coals 

 for 20 days. The main objects of the expedition as contemplated by 

 the Earl of Clarendon, who has specially patronised and sanctioned 

 it, and as organized by the Admiralty, are to explore the river Niger 

 and its tributaries, to ascertain the natural productions and capa- 

 bilities of the countries through which they flow, to enter into 

 friendly relations with the native chiefs, to facilitate the return of 

 liberated Africans to their homes, and practically to show the 

 advantages of legitimate trade over the debasing and demoralising 

 traffic in slaves. 



Ascending the Kwara to Eabbat, and leaving the steamer there, 

 the party will, in the first instance, proceed by land to visit Sakatu, 



* Spelt Kwara by Barth and by the Admiralty ; Kwora by Baikie, and Quorra 

 by old travellers. 



