Xiv PREFACE. 
by which the attempts to penetrate inward 
have been chiefly made, — as Congo, and the 
banks of the Senegal and Gambia. The 
Second Book exhibits the discoveries in 
the maritime countries, beginning with A- 
byssinia, the chief native power, and mak- 
ing thence the circuit of Africa. The Third 
Book is occupied with geographical illus- 
trations and views of the present state of 
Africa. Under the former head, it is at- 
tempted to exhibit, as a branch of the history 
of science, a view of the progress of inquiry 
and speculation relative to this continent, 
from the earliest ages, rather than to in- 
dulge in present conjectures, which, a few 
years, it may be hoped, would render su- 
perfluous. In this part of the work I have 
been fortunate enough to obtain from my 
friend, Professor Jameson, a general view 
of the natural history of Africa, the great 
importance of which cannot fail to be ap- 
preciated by every reader. 
In the Appendix will be found transla- 
tions of some scarce and curious passages 
of the early geographers, relating to central 
Africa, which, though often referred to, are 
