190 REPORT — 1875. 



On South- African Torrential Floods viewed in connexion with the late Inun- 

 dations in the Valley of the Garonne and its Affluences, and Pleasures 

 adopted in France to prevent such Floods. Bij J. C. Beown, LL.D. 



The aridity of South Africa is extreme ; it is attributable primarily to the drain- 

 age consequent on upheaval, and secondarily to evaporation, promoted by the 

 destruction of vegetation mainly by fire ; and in so far it is typical of many other 

 colonized lands. But withal, as is also the case with many of these, there are 

 frequent occasional floods and very destructive inundations. These are occasioned, 

 like the autumn torrents in the Alps, by storms of rain. The production of torrents 

 by these has in many localities been prevented by planting the basin drained by 

 them with trees and shrubs and herbage. The operation of these in producing 

 their efi'ect has been ascertained. From this it appears to be reasonable that they 

 would be also efficacious in regulating the fiow of torrents elsewhere ; and the 

 losses of life and property reported as consequences of such inundations, warrant a 

 large expenditm-e as preventive measures, as is incurred in France, to prevent by 

 such means the occurrence of such inundations as have lately occurred in the 

 valley of the Garonne. 



Bearings of recent Observations on the Doctrine of Oceanic Circulation*. 

 By Dr. W. B. Carpenter, F.B.S. 



On Bacotah, North-ivest America. By Colonel H. B. Carrington. 



Journey towards the Outlet of the Nile from the Lalce Albert Nyanza. 

 By Lieutenant Chippindale. 



On the North-west African Expedition. 

 By General Sir Arthur Cottos-, B.E. 



There are now thirteen or fourteen expeditions, either actually penetrating 

 Central Africa or preparing to start, from five or six different countries j all the 

 fi'uit of Livingstone's leading. 



Why should a hundi'ed millions of our fellow men be shut out from inter- 

 com-se with the civilized races ? And how could a young man propose to himself a 

 more worthy enterprise than Mr. M'Kenzie has of bringing Timbuctoo -within easy 

 reach of England ? 



The testimony of several witnesses seems conclusive as to a great area between 

 the Atlas mountains and the Niger being below the level of the sea, and separated 

 from it only by a short space. Its extremity near the sea is about 10 miles wide, 

 and covered with a crust of salt. The tribes of the country surrounding this 

 depression are stated to be very hospitable and tractable. Tliis direct line of 

 commimication -with Timbuctoo was strongly recommended by Mr. Jackson, a 

 merchant who resided on the coast many years (60 j'ears ago), and his plans 

 were strongly supported by Vasco de Gama and Mr. Willis, formerly Consul at 

 Senegambia. 



Such a direct and cheap line of transit would greatly increase the present large 

 traffic which is brought from the Mediterranean, the direct line being not only the 

 shortest but the healthiest and most free from other difficulties. 



This is the best land-route incomparably ; but the great question is, whether the 

 inland sea cannot be restored. The nature and extent of the bar at the mouth of 

 what is called the Belta, the level and actual area of the depression, the quantity 

 of water flowing into it, &c., are the points now to be ascertained ; also how 

 near shelter for shipping is to be found on the coast. 



* Vide Proc. Eoy. Geogr. Soc. vol. six, no. vii. (1875). 



