340 REMARKS ON TRAVELS 
the construction of a canal between such tributaries, suit- 
able for commercial purposes; and whether we may not 
then find a navigable communication opened between the 
mouths of the Gambia and Senegal and Sego, Djenne, 
Timbuctoo, Houssa, and all the large towns by which 
the Dhioliba flows ? 
Even though Europeans should attempt only the land 
passage between the two rivers, this would be an enterprise 
founded on a more accurate knowledge of the situation and 
distance of places, and, if not an immediate consequence, 
would, at least, be an indirect result of M. Caillie's travels 
on the two banks of the great river. It is unnecessary for 
me to add, that if, for want of positive documents, I should 
have erred in tracing the itinerary, the fault will be all my 
own, and will detract nothing from the merit of our 
traveller, or from the gratitude due to him from all friends 
and patrons of discoveries. 
To continue our examination of the geographical 
results of M. Caillie's travels, I ought not to omit the 
attention he has paid to make himself acquainted with the 
situation and depth of the wells ^ a circumstance from 
which useful inferences may be drawn relative to the 
course and distance of the waters : he has not neglected 
remarks upon the climate, the periodical rains,* and the 
* On occasion of the rains, the useful assistance he derived from his 
English umbrella may be remarked, not only for the shelter it afforded 
him, but for the importance which the natives attached to it, the ad- 
