1835.] Scientific Intelligence. 157 



would be the probable consequences of instituting a trade with them, 

 as the existence of the river leading into the interior promises great 

 facilities, should the chances of a successful commercial intercourse 

 be deemed probable. Should he succeed in reaching Kurrachane, 

 he has then performed all that the society have in view, but should 

 his health enable him to penetrate* farther, he may endeavour to 

 reach some of the Portuguese settlements, and will then have con- 

 tributed greatly to our knowledge of this portion of Africa. 



With regard to the geography of the country to the northward of 

 Delagoa Bay, Captain Maconochie stated, that from the information 

 which he had collected from an envoy, whom the Imaum of Muscat, 

 has sent to this country for commercial purposes, it appears that 

 there is a large lake or inland sea, termed Marrabee, in the interior, 

 which extends as far north as the latitude of Mombaza, and is so broad, 

 that a row boat requires ten days to cross it. This Arab had been on 

 its banks, whither he had gone in company with caravans trading be- 

 tween the coast and that neighbourhood. The natives by peculiar 

 ceremonies are in the habit of receiving strangers into friendship, and 

 when they have once done so, they continue to afford them protec- 

 tion. The Muscat-man has undergone those ceremonies, and has 

 volunteered to accompany any English traveller, and ensures perfect 

 safety, as far as regards the natives. His account of the interior 

 agrees withjthat of Captain Boutchier who was wrecked on this coast. 

 He further states, that a traveller might accompany the natives in 

 their pilgrimage to Mecca, by Suakem, and would have protection 

 extended to them. 



The new expedition into Guyana has for its object the examination 

 of the tract of high land which forms the southern boundary of 

 French Guyana, Surinam and part of Columbia, and divides into two 

 portions the great Oronoco Island, as it may be termed, for the Oro- 

 noco has been proved by the travels of Humboldt to communicate by 

 means of the Cassaquairo, with the Rio Negro, which terminates in 

 the Amazon. Humboldt penetrated as far as Esmeraldas, but from 

 this point to the Ocean, as far as regards our knowledge, it may be 

 said all is barren. Mr. Waterton, it is true, reached the frontiers of 

 Brazil, but his attention was almost entirely devoted to the study of 

 zoology, so that he has given little information in reference to the 

 physical features of the country. This tract is interesting, as having 

 been the El Dorado of Sir Walter Raleigh, who mistook mica for 

 gold ore, and as containing his great inland sea and city on its banks, 

 which continue still to have a place in maps, although they appear to 

 have no existence in reality beyond the occurrence of slight inunda- 

 tions. Some French travellers in French Guyana, have recently ob- 

 served tumuli resembling those of North America, which adds an 

 interest to the investigation of the habits and manners of the Indians. 



The idea of sending this expedition has been entertained for some 

 time, but it was only lately that funds could be obtained. The 

 Geographical Society, however, offered to provide £ 500, which was 

 met by an addition of £ 1000 by the British Government. The in- 

 dividual intrusted with this expedition is now in the West Indies, 

 preparing at the proper season to proceed up the Essequibo river, in 

 prosecution of his journey. 



