384 Letter from Dr Oudney to Professor Jameson . 
being sufficient to answer every demand. The quantity an- 
nually exported amounts to between 400 and 500 camel-loads, 
each equal to about 4 cwt., — a large quantity, when the size of 
the lake is considered. It is removed only when a demand 
comes ; then a man wades in, breaks it off in large sheets, which 
he easily does ; hands it to others outside, who are ready to re- 
move all foreign matters, and pack it in the setose bases of the 
palm-leaves. The water in the valley is good, and if a well be 
dug on the very border of the lake, the water is also good, and 
sensibly free from saline impregnation. There are a great many 
springs in the Wadey Shiati, and a number in the Wadies 
about Ghraat ; all were so exposed, that it was not possible to get 
any correct observations. The wells also are so discrepant that 
no information could be obtained. The maximum heat of Mur- 
zouk 105° Fahr., a great difference from Captain Lyons. The 
greatest diurnal change 15°, and that very uniform. Hygro- 
meter shorter, from 360° to 410°, — an amazing small range. 
My worthy friend Lieutenant Clapperton, sends his kind re- 
gards, and promises to write you from Bornou. We are in the 
best of health, and stood our summer’s travelling exceedingly 
well. I remain yours very sincerely, &c. 
II. 
Extract of Letter from Mr Bowdich to Professor Jameson. 
[[The following is the last letter we received from the late enter- 
prising but unfortunate traveller Bowdich. His melancholy 
fate, deeply regretted by the learned throughout Europe, af- 
fords another proof of the wretched climate of that part of Africa 
■where he lost his life, and of the extreme danger of encountering 
it, even to those who, like Mr Bowdich, were, by previous know- 
ledge and experience, well prepared to provide against its de- 
leterious effects. His observations, drawings, and collections, we 
believe have reached Europe, having been brought to England 
by the accomplished and interesting partner of all his joys and 
of all his sufferings — Mrs Bowdich.] 
Having unexpectedly procured a letter to the Vicar of Cani- 
^al, about 15 miles from Funchal, and the last village towards the 
eastern end of the island, from which it is not much more than 
three miles distant, I hastened to explore its environs. I had 
2 
