146 REPORT—1857. 
bered by dense brushwood, through which one must cut one's way. Savannahs are 
found in a few places. Gold, silver, copper, iron, sulphur, cinnabar, coal, and other 
minerals are known to exist. The rivers swarm with fish. 
The climate varies in different localities ; it is healthiest highest up the rivers. The 
country in its wild state is liable to low intermittent fevers, which however in great 
part disappear when it is cleared. 
The Peruvian Government is prepared to make large grants of land and give ex- 
tensive rights of self-administration to European colonies in the valley of the Amazon. 
A short Statement of Discoveries in Southern Africa. 
By the Rev. Dr. LivinesTone. 
On the Sources and Origins of Human Races and their Languages, more 
especially the Celtic. By W. Macvonatp, M.D. 
On the Final Arctic Searching Expedition. 
By Ciements R. Markuam. 
The search for Sir John Franklin’s expedition has been continued with untiring 
energy until no less than 21,500 miles of coast-line has been examined; and the 
search for traces of the missing ships has been contracted within those narrow limits 
bounded by the western shores of Boothia, King William’s Island, and the space 
occupied by a strait or deep inlet from Osborn and Wynniath’s farthest, to Victoria 
Channel. 
Thither the Expedition commanded by Captain M‘Clintock, the father of Arctic 
travelling, has proceeded, to solve the mystery which has so long hung over the fate 
of our gallant countrymen. 
His intention is, after ascertaining the safety of the abundant stores of provisions 
left on Beechey Island and in Leopold Sound, first to examine the state of the ice in 
Peel Strait, and his prospect of success in this direction appears to be very hopeful. 
But should he fail in his endeavour to force his way down it, it is almost certain that 
he will have been able to reach such a position down Prince Regent’s Inlet, as to 
complete the search by travelling parties in the ensuing spring. 
The Expedition which sailed last July, differs from any preceding one, from the 
important fact that its commander knows the exact spot to which his search should 
be directed. He has gone forth, single-handed, to complete the search for this most 
heroic body of men, with the determination of clearing up the mystery which has so 
long hung over their fate, and of crowning his long and weary labours with success. 
It is satisfactory to find that an officer who has searched from the very first, in 
every expedition, through Lancaster Sound, will now, in all probability, have the 
glory of completing this deeply interesting work; and I am certain that everyone 
here will unite in wishing him all the success that his noble perseverance so well 
deserves. 
On the Macrocephali-of Hippocrates. By Dr. Miycutn. 
The singularity of cranial outline which constituted so remarkable a character in — 
the appearance of the ancient Macrocephali as to have induced Hippocrates to assert 
that no other nation had heads in the least resembling them, presents us with a 
problem, which, however curious and interesting as a matter of speculation and ~ 
inquiry, is nevertheless beset with difficulties of a practical nature when we come to ~ 
; 
‘4 
examine and compare the different statements to be found in the works of Strabo, 
Pliny, Mela, and others, regarding this singular people. 
The author of the paper referred to the various accounts of the ‘‘ long-heads,”’ as _ 
given by the several ancient authors. From these he endeavoured to show that they — 
were probably not a distinct race or tribe; that, however, in a particular district near — 
the south-east of the Black Sea, a certain form of cranial elongation appeared, and — 
that the individuals so constituted were possessed of mental endowments of a coliar 
kind. Thus, Hippocrates says that “ they were considered most noble who had the — 
”'s 
intl 
