CAPTAIN TUCKEY* 
481 
effects of such a combination, as no correspond- 
ing case appears to occur in any other region of 
the globe. It appears certainly possible, how- 
ever, that the effect may be that of transmitting 
the rise,' after a long delay, from the river which 
falls into the first lake to that which flows out of 
the last, so that this great interval may be pro- 
duced between the swelling of the Niger and 
that of the Congo. On the other hand, should 
we suppose the Congo to have its source under 
or near the line, and the rains there to begin 
earlier than in the regions to the south, we should 
have a more simple, and perhaps as satisfactory 
a solution of the phenomenon. Upon the whole, 
it is by no means meant to be disputed, that this 
unaccounted rise of the Congo may be produced 
by its connexion with the Niger ; it is only doubt- 
ed whether; it must be so. There would be 
an error, we think, in supposing that the ques- 
tion as to the termination of the Niger is in any 
degree solved j or that a deep mystery does not 
yet rest over this grand problem in African 
geography. 
