( 272 ) [ April, 
VI. GEOGRAPHY. 
(Including the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society.) 
THe death of Dr. Barth, to which we just alluded im our last 
number, will leave a void not easy to be filled. At the age of 
twenty-five, the young traveller had explored the southern coasts 
of the Mediterranean. He subsequently traversed Algiers, Tunis, 
Tripoli, and Benghazi, whence he was on his road to Cairo, when 
he was beset by robbers, plundered and wounded. He continued 
his journey, however, and visited Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Asia 
Minor, and Greece. His next expedition was into the interior of 
Africa, across the Sahara. About this journey he wrote a valuable 
work, which much extended his fame. 
Another African traveller, Baron yon der Decken, the recipient 
of one of the gold medals of the Royal Geographical Society, 
although it does not appear that he has lost, has run the risk of his 
life, and been exposed to great peril in his expedition from the 
Zanzibar coast up the river Juba. Separated from his party, through 
going in search of assistance in getting one of his steamers off 
certain rocks, he seems to have fallen into the hands of a Somali 
chief. All who have resided on the Zanzibar coast, and have any 
knowledge of the interior, unite in declarmg thei conviction that 
the Baron will only be detained in order to secure a heavy ransom, 
and that his life is not in danger.* A fuller account of his position 
will be found further on. 
The most active proceedings in the way of geographical research — 
of which we have advices, are those of the Royal Engineers under 
Captain Wilson and Lieutenant Anderson in the Holy Land. A 
sum of 2,000/. has been assigned for this undertaking, which 1s to 
be carried on until April, after which the heat will not admit of 
further research. The route marked out for the intermediate period 
begins at Beyrout, and passes by way of Damascus to the source of 
the Jordan, continues the descent of that river, exploring various 
sites on the Lake of Gennesaret, and the lower valley of the Jordan, 
including Shiloh, Jezreel, Samaria, Bethel, and ending with the 
neighbourhood of Jerusalem. This expedition is intended to be 
preparatory for others in subsequent years, should money come in. 
The party have traversed as far as the centre of the western side of 
the Lake of Tiberias. Numerous astronomical observations have 
been recorded, and localities fixed ; thus maps may become more 
trustworthy. Photographs have been taken of various important 
architectural remains; whilst plans, sketches, and drawings have 
been made of buildings, tombs, architectural ornaments, &c. In 
* We have seen the report of his death since the above was written, whether 
it is trustworthy or not we cannot say. 
