ADDENDA. 
xvii 
might be very injurious to the speculations of future ad- 
venturers. 
But the circumstance most deserving of attention in 
Mr. Park's statement of the rates of commercial articles 
at Sansanding, is the difference in the relative values of 
the precious metals, which appears to be considerably 
less in Africa than in Europe. When it is recollected 
that Africa is one of the native countries of gold, but 
produces no silver, this might in a certain degree have 
been anticipated. But the difference in the proportional 
value of the two metals, is unquestionably much greater, 
according to Park's statement, than it was at all reason- 
able to expect. Taking the average value of the dollar 
at 9000 cowries, the proportion of gold to silver, at San- 
sanding, will be nearly as one to one and a half ;* whereas 
in Europe it is as one to fifteen ! This difference is so 
enormous as to induce a suspicion that there may be some 
inaccuracy in the list of prices ; a circumstance which 
might easily happen to the most cautious enquirer in 
Park's situation. But although the precise amount of the 
difference in question may be a matter of some uncer- 
tainty, there can be no doubt that the value of silver, in 
proportion to gold, is very considerably higher in Africa, 
* The following are the data, from which this proportion is deduced. 
The minkalh, containing 80 grains of gold, is worth 3000 cowries. Tiie 
dollar, containing about 375 grains of fine silver, is worth on an average, 9000 
cowries; consequently, 125 grains of fine silver, the value of 3000 cowries, 
is equal to 80 grains of gold. This would give a somewhat greater propor- 
tion, than one and a half to one ; but as an allowance ought to be made for 
some little impurity in the gold, this may betaken to be the true proportion. 
VOL. II, *D 
