TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 147^ 



furthest point attained by Allen and Oakfield in 1833, and reaching to about fifty 

 miles of the meeting of the Faroe and Binue, have established the identity of the 

 Tchadda with the Binue. We have established the navigable nature of the river 

 during the rainy season up to our furthest point ; and seemingly, as well as from the 

 information of the natives, considerably beyond. We have encoimtered several new 

 tribes ; have inquired into the resoui'ces, &c. of the various countries ; and have 

 ascertained the friendly disposition of the natives. From numerous careful obser- 

 vations, we can almost demonstrate the incon-ectness of Dr. Barth's astronomical 

 positions ; our furthest point east being 11° 30', at which time we were considerably 

 beyond Hamaruva, and almost certainly, at the furthest, within fifty miles of the 

 junction of the Faro, which was placed by that gentleman in longitude 14° east," Dr. 

 Baikie states, as the result of his expedition, that he will be able to lay before the 

 Admiralty a tolerably accurate chart of the entire rivers, and materials for a much 

 improved map of the surrounding countries. He proceeds : — " With the assistance 

 of Mr. Crowther, we have satisfied ourselves of the general desire of the natives to 

 receive instruction and to admit teachers, and also of their wishes to carry on trade 

 with us. We are enabled to report favourably on the climate, having encountered 



but little sickness, and, providentiall}-, not lost a single life Inability to cut 



fuel was the principal cause of our final stop; — the Krooboys, also, were nearly 

 exhausted by the immense labour consequent on the employment of miserably 

 insufficient tools. Scurvy likewise made its appearance among the crew, apparently 

 from an improper amount of nourishment. The actual turning back of the vessel 

 took place while Mr. May and I were absent in the gig, endeavouring to make a 

 higher ascent. The furthest point eastward reached by the party was about latitude 

 9° 30' north, and in longitude 1 1° 30' east. They believed, from information received, 

 that they were at that place not more than fifty miles from the Faro. The different 

 native tribes, for the most part, gave them the most friendly reception." Dr. Baikie 

 and his party reached the mouth of the river, on their return, on the 4th of November 

 1854. " During the voyage the amount of sickness was very little, and every case of 

 fever yielded to the careful, but free administration of quinine, which was also em- 

 ployed largely as a prophylactic, and, as it seemed, with great benefit. The trading 

 part of the voyage was a great failure." In conclusion, Dr. Baikie remarks that, 

 " from ail appearances, there is less war and turmoil, and a greater feeling of security 

 along the river than formerly ; as detached huts and patches of cultivated ground 

 are now to be seen along the banks, none of which, I am assured by Mr. Crowther, 

 existed during his visit in 1841." 



Remarks on the late Arctic Expedition, and on the several Completions of the 

 North-west Passage. By Capt. Sir E. Belchef, R.N., FR.A.S. 



On the Importance of Periodical Engineering Surveys of Tidal Harbours, 

 illustrated by a comparison of the Surveys of the River Mersey, by the late 

 F. Giles, C.E.; and the Marine Surveys of the Port. By J. Boult. 



Mr. Boult pointed out the extent to which the sea had encroached upon the land 

 at the mouth of the Mersey, the average yearly encroachment being about six yards ; 

 and showed the consequent necessity of repeated and minute surveys, for the purpose 

 of discovering where the sea encroached, and where deposits were laid down, with 

 the view of preserving the harbours undeteriorated. 



Notes on the Portuguese Possessions of South-west Africa. 

 By Mr. Consul Brand. 



An Account of a Visit to Medina from Suez, by way of Jambo. 

 By Lieut.-Col. Burton. 



Journey across the Rivers of British Kaffraria. By the Rev. F. Fleming. 

 This paper described a journey from the Great Kei to the Q'Nabaga Rivers, in- 

 cluding a description of some fossil remains which Mr. Fleming discovered near 

 Q'Nabaga. 



10* 



