358 REMARKS ON TRAVELS 
supposed. Park^ indeed, who saw only one branch, stood 
in silent admiration of this majestic stream; but that 
which M. Caillie crossed before Djenne and followed as 
far as Isaca is not inferior to the other in importance*. 
The junction of the island with the river, visible from 
the tops of the houses in Djenne, was pointed out to M. 
Caillie. Is it with the western arm, or with a branch of 
the eastern ? I am disposed to believe that it is with the 
latter, the other being at too great a distance to be within 
sight. I can say nothing positive of the island of Jimbala, 
and which the maps represent between Lake Dibbi and 
Cabra, the port of Timbuctoof. There is, however, no 
reason for doubting its existence, since M. Caillie could not 
examine all the windings of Lake Debo or Dhiebou, from 
which an arm may diverge to the right, and rejoin the 
branch which it runs ©ff to the east near Cabra. 
From the travels of M. Caillie we further learn, on the 
subject of commercial communications, that the navigation 
of the Dhioliba is almost every where practicable; it is 
navigable as early as Couroussa, and no doubt yet nearer to 
its source ; there is no reason to suppose any serious ob- 
stacle at Bamakou, although there appear to be at this 
place three principal rapids, but not cataracts. Park 
* Speaking of the sight of the river, which he obtained from the 
heights of Toniba, at four leagues distance. Park exclaims : '* I once 
more saw the Niger rolling its immense stream along the plain." {The 
Journal of a Mission, &c. London, 1815, page 143). 
t See Section III below. 
