306 
REMARKS ON TRAVELS 
OBSERVATIONS ON THE SITUATION OF TIMBUCTOO, AND 
PARTICULARLY ON ITS LONGITUDE. 
From the determination of the lines which join Time 
Djenn^ Timbuctoo, and Fez, and from the latitude of 
Timbuctoo thus fixed according to the itinerary at seven- 
teen degrees fifty or fifty one minutes,* necessarily results 
a more westerly longitude of this city, than has been hi- 
therto supposed, and even than that which I had former- 
ly admitted, and which brings its position much nearer to 
the ocean than any geographer has placed it. 
Such is the importance of the situation of Timbuctoo 
that I deem it necessary to insist again on the discussion 
of the elements ; in order, not to establish it with certainty 
(I am far from believing that I have accomplished this) 
but to furnish the reader with new means of approaching 
the truth, as nearly as the state of our knowledge will per- 
mit. It is true that a single astronomical observation 
made by a skilful observer, furnished with good instru- 
ments, and worthy of confidence, might overthrow these 
inductions ; but it is equally true that till we are possessed 
of such an observation, no geographer can fix this main 
position on a map, without deducing all the reasons which 
* The latitude as determined by M. Walckenaer approaches very- 
near to this result. 
