52 General Notes. [ January, 
Ogowé and Congo. He is accompanied by a zoologist, Dr. 
Stecker. The German African Association has granted him 
$7,500, and the German Emperor has entrusted him with valua- 
ble presents for the ruler of Wadai, in recognition of the kindness 
shown Dr. Nachtigal. 
M. Paul Solleilet, who endeavored a few years ago to open up 
a commercial route between Algiers and Senegal, started from 
Bordeaux in the early part of 1878, on a second expedition with 
the same object for Saint Louis in Senegal. From there he pro- 
ceeded to Backel, 250 leagues from the mouth of the Senegal 
river. Leaving there on the 8th of June, he arrived at Kuniakaro 
on the 23d of that month. When last heard from he was on the 
point of starting for Sego on the Niger. He proposes to winter 
in that town, and descend the river as far as Timbuktu in the 
ensuing spring. From thence he hopes to go to In-Salah and 
from thence to Algiers. 
The feasibility of connecting the depression of the Shot-el- 
Jerid with the Mediterranean, and thus flooding the Algerian Sa- 
hara, is being investigated by Capt. Roudaire at the expense of the 
French Minister of Education. He has with him Dr. André who 
will examine into the natural history of the country. 
- The Portugese African Expedition, under Major Serpa Pinto, 
left Benguela on November 12, 1877, for Bihé, and reached the 
latter place in the following March. From particulars gathered 
by the Academy from Lisbon journals, we learn that they found 
the porter-difficulty even greater on the west than on the east 
coast, because as a rule the natives are only willing to engage for 
short journeys and specific destinations. At Bihé the explorers 
resolved to separate into two parties; Messrs. Capello and Ivens 
starting in a northern direction, whilst Major Serpa Pinto, on May 
18, 1878, was on the eve of departing for the Upper Zambesi, in- 
tending to reach Zumbo early next year. This journey is likely 
to be very difficult, owing to the small escort and limited amount 
of goods taken and the hostile character of the tribes to be en- 
countered. He proposes first to explore the region between the 
Cubango and the Zambesi. The geographical and meteorological 
observations already obtained are said to be very interesting. 
The Cubango has its source at a great distance west of Bihé, near 
that of the Cunene at Bailundo. The streams flowing to the west 
directly to the sea, or north into the Quanza, or south into the 
Cunene, have their sources in the vast marshy depressions of the 
country, between 12° 30’ and 13° S. latitude. 
A successful experiment in the introduction of trained ele- 
phants from India into Africa has been made this year by Col. 
Gordon in Egypt. The elephants were first taken to Khartum 
and thence marched to Duffli, where they were employed in carry- 
ing all kinds of heavy goods. During their march they swam 
across the Nile three times. A portion of their journey from the 
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