312 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS— AFRICA. [May 23, 1859. 



these good qualities are here and there broken in upon by maraud- 

 ing or slave- catching armies, sent into the Yoruban country by 

 powerful neighbours. The details of this journey were communi- 

 cated to the Foreign Office in January last, and will, I presume, soon 

 reach the Society. 



Approaching to within fifty or sixty miles of the confluences of 

 the Quorra and Chadda Eivers, Mr. May was compelled to alter his 

 route, and proceed northwards, visiting the ruined famous town 

 Ladi, crossing the Quorra at Shaw, and journeying thence on the 

 north side of the river through Niipe to Eabba. 



Lieutenant Glover had during this time also visited the coast by 

 Mr. May's first route, and was now there waiting to pilot up the 

 river the steamer which was at last coming to the relief of the 

 party. Dr. Baikie and the other ^ members of the expedition had 

 been chiefly employed during the year in cultivating a good under- 

 standing with their neighbours, reducing their language, &c., whilst 

 the energies of Mr. Barton were amply occupied on the botany of 

 this part of Africa. In October, 1858, just a twelvemonth after the 

 settlement of the expedition at the spot in question, the Sunbeam 

 steamer arrived, the whole party were then embarked, and pro- 

 ceeded down the river to Fernando Po, there to recruit the health 

 of the officers and men, and make arrangements for farther explora- 

 tion. During the twelvemonth's residence in Niipe the most friendly 

 relations were maintained with the king, his brother, and chiefs, 

 and the natives generally ; supplies being often received overland 

 from Lagos. 



At Fernando Po (November, 1858), a re-organisation having taken 

 place, and the preparations being completed, the party again set 

 out, now in the steamer Rainbow, built and sent for the purpose, and 

 endeavoured to re-ascend the river. But it was then found that this 

 vessel, which draws four feet of water, could not ascend the Niger 

 even in the month of January ; the waters subsiding until June, 

 when they increase. . In consequence, the party was obliged again 

 to return to the sea, and since have set out upon the land-journey 

 from Lagos to Eabba (upon the route opened up by Mr. May), 

 whence it is purposed to proceed with an expedition the friendly 

 objects of which must by this time have made a due impression 

 on the native chiefs, and from which we may anticipate the gain of 

 much knowledge when all the acquisitions of Dr. Baikie and his 

 associates are unfolded. 



Livingstone or Zambesi Expedition. — With the exception of the 



