THE WESTERN COAST HANNO. 17 
question. Mela has added some particulars, but 
of the most fabulous complexion, respecting the 
nations whom he saw along the coast. One was 
dumb ; another wholly without a tongue ; while 
a third had the mouth entirely closed, and receiv- 
ed food through an orifice in the nose. No such 
marvels occur in the narrative of Strabo, which, we 
agree with a late learned writer* in thinking, may 
probably be regarded as authentic. It exhibits a 
man rash, enthusiastic, and somewhat empirical, 
yet possessed of that boldness, enterprise, and 
perseverance, which could alone promise success 
in such arduous undertakings. 
These are all the instances recorded, in which 
the complete circumnavigation of Africa was 
either performed or attempted. Other voyages, 
however, were undertaken, with a view to the ex- 
ploration of a certain extent of its unknown coasts. 
The most ancient and most memorable is that per- 
formed along the western coast by Hanno, who 
was sent out, at a very early period, by a state 
which surpassed, in commerce and power, all 
others on the African coast.t The Carthaginians 
fitted out this expedition, with a view partly to 
colonization, and partly to discovery. The arma- 
ment consisted of sixty large vessels, on board of 
* Malte Brun, Histoire de la Geographic, 162. 
t Geog. Graec. Minores, Vol. I. 
VOL. I. B 
