56 
THE EAST AFRICAN EXPEDITION. 
[Nov. 23, 1857. 
The virgin ground of Eastern Africa is a field far too extensive 
for a single observer. The climate of the sea-board does not yield 
in fatality to that of the western coast, and the jealousy of Arabs 
and Sawahilis may assume a more virulent form in the interior. 
Under these circumstances, the presence of an able surgeon and two 
tried men is by no means to be despised. Dr. Steinhausen has not 
joined us yet, but we still indulge hopes that he may be on his way. 
Trusting that the Eoyal Geographical Society will approve of our 
past proceedings and of our future plahs, I have the honour to 
subscribe myself, Sir, 
Your most obedient servant, 
Richard F. Burton. 
To Dr. Norton Shaw, Secretary to the 
Royal Geographical Society. 
The President then read the following extract of a letter from Zanzibar, 
dated July 11th, 1857. 
“ This day three weeks (June 16th) Colonel Hamerton sailed 
with the Captains Burton and Speke for Bagamoyo, to lend his per- 
sonal influence on the very spot from which they were to start. 
Though much was still to be settled, no difficulties were experi- 
enced, and after ten days (June 26th) the Captains, accompanied by 
a body of upwards of 200 men (150 of whom were armed), set out 
on their enterprising journey. 
“Four days after their departure a note from Captain Burton 
was received, saying that all was going on favourably. Every 
evening a cannon was fired from the ship to put the next heathen 
tribe, from whom alone some resistance was suspected to be made, 
in awe of the passing caravan.” 
The President. — In returning our thanks to Captain Burton for his com- 
munication, I must say that the earlier part of it gives a compendious and 
clear account of that portion of the coast of Africa which he has passed along. 
The remainder of the paper is made up of a great deal of information obtained 
from various travellers on the coast. As there are distinguished African 
travellers in the room, I hope we may hear observations from them on this 
memoir. 
Dr. Barth. — It is my opinion that the account given by Mr. Eebmann and 
the Rev. Mr. Krapff of the Snow Mountains is not based on fact. It would 
be desirable that the report made by Captain Short, who ascended the river 
Juba, and who also, at a point farther to the north, supposed that he saw 
snowy mountains, should be published with all the details, that it might be 
seen on what facts this opinion is based, that these mountains are covered with 
snow. I suppose these mountains can in no way be so high as to reach the 
line where eternal snow can be preserved the whole length of the year, never- 
theless I think that in the direction from the equator towards Kaffa there 
might be mountains to the elevation of 15,000 or 16,000 feet, which at 
certain seasons of the year, and in peculiar localities, might be covered with 
