140 REPORT — 1855. 



later formation ; that future observations will probably bring it to light in many 

 animals in which it is not yet known ; but that in others it is most probably entirely 

 absent ; and yet, that spermatozoa penetrate the egg coverings, even though these 

 are of considerable density, as in the case of raaramalia; that it appears to exist 

 principally in those ova of which the coverings have peculiar strength and density; 

 that in a number of instances the spermatozoa meet with the ovum previous to 

 the formation of any enclosing or vitelline membrane, and must thus act directly on 

 the yolk or germ ; and that in a few animals (as Trematode and Cestoid worms), the 

 spermatozoa are mingled with the contents of the ovum, viz. germinal vesicle, and 

 yolk substance, at the period of their being brought together in their formation, and 

 are thus enclosed, along with the rest of the parts, by the membrane which is after- 

 wards deposited externally. 



Thus, while many interesting and important additions have been recently made to 

 our knowledge of the history of the phenomena of fecundation, further observations 

 are still required to bring these phsenomena, as observed in different classes of 

 animals, under one general doctrine or law. 



GEOGRAPHY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



Ethnology. 



On some peculiar Circumslances connected with one of the Coins used on the 

 West Coast of Africa. By the Rev. Thomas C. Archer. 



Description of Timhuctoo, its Population, and Commerce. By Dr. Barth. 

 Communicated through the Foreign Office. 

 Before reading the paper, Dr. Shaw informed the meeting that Dr. Biirth had just 

 arrived in London in safety. Dr. Barth, dating from Timbuctoo, on the 2nd of 

 October, 1853, acquainted the Earl of Clarendon, the Foi'eign Minister, that on the 

 7th of the month previous he had reached Timbuctoo, and had met with a very satis- 

 factory reception. He entered from the south side, having navigated a considerable 

 channel of the river. He was escorted to the town from Kabara by Sidi Alawad, 

 the brother of the absent Sheikh of Bakay, and welcomed by great part of the 

 wealthier Arabs inhabiting the place ; but was obliged to support before the people 

 the character of a messenger of the Sultan of Stamboul, his real character being 

 known only to his protector. When the Sheikh of Bakay himself arrived, he gave 

 Dr. Barth the fullest assurance of his safety in the town, and his safe return home 

 b)' way of Borno ; he had done so before, and as far as his influence extended, had 

 given " full security to any Englishman visiting this place." Dr. Barth then gives 

 a brief description of the town : — " Timbuctoo is situated, accoi'ding to an accurate 

 computation of my route, 18° .3' 30" to 18° 4' 5" north latitude, and 1° 45' west 

 longitude, Greenwich ; and is distant from the river itself further than has been sup- 

 posed, — Kabara, its so-called port, being situated on a very small ditch, which, being 

 inundated by the river, is made navigable for four, or, when the rains have been rnost 

 plentiful, for five mouths in the year; whereas, during the eight remaining months, 

 all the merchandise has to be transported on the backs of asses to a much greater 



distance than Kabara As for the town itself, it is not now environed by a wall, 



the former one having long ago fallen into decay ; but like the small towns of the 

 Tonray in general, its mud houses form a tolerably entire enclosiu'e, pierced only by 

 narrow entrances. Having been at least twice as large during the period when the 

 Tonray empire was in its prime and glory, its circumference at present does not 

 exceed two and a half miles. The whole town consists of houses built of mud, for 

 the greater part only one story high, while the wealthier people have all their houses 

 raised to two stories. There are at present only three mosques in the town. The 



