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APPENDIX. 
The object of M. MoUien's expedition was to ascertain the 
sources of the Senegal and Gambia, and even those of the Dialli-Ba. 
Insurmountable obstacles prevented him from accomplishing- this 
part of his mission ; but he realized the others. Guided by an 
African of tried fidelity, he directed his route according to the 
information furnished him by the Negroes, and found it to be 
correct. It was with the greatest caution that he received the 
particulars given him respecting distant countries. He knew, that 
like all ignorant men, the Blacks are generally fond of the mar- 
vellous, and anxious to appear well-informed on points of which they 
know nothing : and that even when they have not been at the place 
which is spoken of to them, they are at no loss to describe it, as 
pompous accounts cost them nothing. But M. Mollien also knew^ 
that they form notions, the accuracy of which would surprise 
Europeans, of regions they have seen but once, and of those which 
lie contiguous to the country they inhabit. For example, they 
are rarely mistaken in regard to the point of the horizon where 
a place is situated ; but as to the distances which they assign, it is 
necessary for a traveller to be on his guard. Some having tra- 
velled on foot, others on horseback, or on a camel, and sometimes 
in these three ways in the same expedition, it is easy to fall into 
important errors by marking distances according to their reports; 
for they never state these particulars, which, however, it is essen- 
tial to know, and which ought, therefore, to be the first object of 
enquiry. Hence it is, that the statements of different individuals 
respecting the distance from one place to another, vary consi- 
derably. 
