VI 
PREFACE. 
the unfortunate IMr. Ritchie died : the second embraces the 
author's examination of the remainder of the kingdom of Fezzan, 
from the death of his companion, until the final return of the 
mission to Tripoli ; it being deemed too hazardous to attempt 
advancing farther into the interior, without fresh authority and 
additional })ecuniary supplies from Government. 
In that part of the journey which was inidertaken after the 
death of Mr. Ritchie, the state of the temperature is, by a thermo- 
meter, graduated according to Reaumur. 
In consequence of IMr. Ritchie's frequent and debilitating 
attacks of illness, and his having relied too much on a singularly 
retentive memory, he had, from time to time, delayed committing 
his remarks to paper, in the delusive anticipation of ease and 
leisure, which, unhappily, he was destined never to enjoy ; and it 
was thus owing to an unfortunate procrastination, that much 
valuable information has been lost to the world. 
The present journal, therefore, although regularly kept, must 
necessarily be very inferior to that which would have been pro- 
duced by Mr. Ritchie, had he been blessed with better health and 
prolonged hfe ; but, however great his loss may be considered in a 
scientific point of view, this circumstance, it is earnestly hoped, will 
operate as an additional claim, on the part of the author, to the 
