7 2 4 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



ning, where he derives, this left branch of the Nile from the 

 principal river, and fays, that, after palling the kingdom 

 of Dongola, it enters Nubia. Now, when it entered Don- 

 gola it mult have already paffed Nubia, for Dongola is the 

 capital of the Barabra, every inch of which is to the north- 

 ward of Nubia. I do not know worfe guides in the geo- 

 graphy of Africa than Leo Africanus and the Nubian geo- 

 grapher. I believe them both impoftors, and the commen- 

 tators upon, them have greatly increafed by their own con- 

 jectures, the confufion and errors which the text has every- 

 where occafioned. 



As far as I have been ever able to learn, by a very diligent 

 and cautious inquiry,from the inhabitants of the neighbour- 

 ing countries, 1 believe the origin of the Niger is in lat. i z a 

 north, and in long. 30 from the meridian of Greenwich 

 nearly ; that it is compofed of various rivers falling down 

 the fides of very high mountains, called Dyre and Tegla;. 

 and runs ftraight wed into the heart, of Africa. I conclude 

 alio, that this river (though it has abundant fupply from eve- 

 ry mountain) is very much diminifhed by evaporation, run- 

 ning in a long courfe upon the very limits of the tropical 

 rains, when entire, under the name of Senega ; or, perhaps, 

 when divided under thofe of Senega and Gambia, it lofes 

 itfelf in the Atlantic Ocean. I conceive alfo, that, as Pliny 

 fays, it has the fame tafle and natural productions with the 

 Nile, becaufe it runs in the fame climate, and like that river 

 owes, if not its exiflcnce, yet certainly its increafe and fui- 

 nefs to the fame caufe, the tropical rains in the northern, 

 .'.mifphcre failing from high mountains. 



I HOPE 



