Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 311 



again to the eastward, Captain Back recommends sending a vessel 

 with stores to Wager's inlet supplied with four portable boats. Mr. 

 King, the companion of Back, in his last expedition, considers, that 

 a better, and much less expensive plan, would be, to make for Atha- 

 pescow lake ; and thence, ascend a river, which, according to the 

 Indians, falls into the lake from the north ; a portage of a few miles 

 conducts to the banks of another river, which terminates in Back's 

 river. The plan, however, advised by Captain Back, is one, which 

 appears to be most feasible, and is likely to be soon carried into exe- 

 cution. A third method which has been pointed out, is, to proceed 

 by Bathurst Inlet and Point Turnagain. 



Besides this line of coast, which requires to be completed in a 

 geographical point of view, there are still 120 miles untraversed 

 towards Bherings Straits, uninteresting it is true, except in so far 

 as there appears to be a large river which discharges itself into the 

 sea at some point of this line of coast. 



2. The lecturer described the enterprising journey of Lieutenant 

 Smythe from Lima, across the Andes, down one of the tributaries of 

 the Amazon to the mouth of the latter river, a distance of 2000 miles. 

 That traveller is now preparing for the press an account of his expe- 

 dition. He describes the inhabitants of Bolivia, as well behaved, 

 quiet, although, rather given to intoxication, and carrying on the 

 tillage of the land with spirit. There are few Spaniards in Lower 

 Bolivia, the inhabitants being all indigenous. Humboldt states, that 

 if the waters of the ocean were to rise 1000 feet, this portion, and, 

 indeed, the whole of the central part of South America would be 

 submersed. 



3. Africa. — -In consequence of the violent disturbances on the 

 CafFre frontier, and the consequent unsettled state of the country, 

 the journey of Captain Alexander has been postponed for a year. 



But, although, the expedition under the direction of the geogra- 

 phical society has thus been stationary, much has been effected by 

 Dr. Smith, whose journey we formerly noticed, and from whose 

 labours we had great anticipations ; we have not been disappointed. 

 He was enabled to fit out his expedition, entirely by a private sub- 

 scription of ,£3000, liberally supported at the Cape, and assisted in 

 this country. He proceeded first to Phillipolis, but was obliged, in 

 consequence of the CafFre war, to return. He then proceeded to- 

 ward Kurrechane, (about Lat. 24°,) and having been kindly received 

 by the powerful and intelligent king of that country ; he was enabled 

 to reach that town and to advance beyond it. He proceeded, follow- 

 ing the river to the north-east, which appeared to bend towards 

 Delagoa bay. He ascended a high ridge of mountains and had a 

 delightful prospect, the coast being apparently within 60 miles. He 

 visited, likewise, a very large lake, which is so broad, that the shores 

 are lost sight of in crossing it. The boats here are built, and not 

 hollowed out of trunks of trees. The only information which has 

 yet reached this country of the expedition, has been through the 

 Cape papers, and some letters written by Dr. Smith, to a friend, in 

 London. We may soon, however, expect very particular and in- 

 teresting details. 



