Notes on the Congo River. 
159 
would see the sun at noon on the right, and in the 
northern hemisphere on the left. But why should 
they face west ? In the “ Chronicle ” of Schedel 
(p. ccxc., printed in 1793, Pigafetta, Pinkerton, 
xi. 412) we read: “ These two, (i.e. Jacob Cam 
and Martin Behem, or Behaim) by the help of the 
gods, ploughing the sea at short distance from 
shore, having passed the equinoctial line, entered 
the nether hemisphere, where, fronting the east , 
their shadow fell towards the south, and on their 
right hand.” Perhaps it may simply allude to the 
morning sun, which would rise to port as they went 
southwards, and to starboard as they returned 
north. Again, the “ First Overland Expedition ” 
is related by the Father of History with all the sem¬ 
blance of truth. We see no cause to doubt that 
the Nasammones or Nasamones (Nas Amun), the 
five young Lybians of the Great Syrtis (Fezzan) 
crossed the olxovpi,uv (watered strip along the Medi¬ 
terranean), passed through the QvpMfis (the “ bush”) 
on the frontier, still famed for lions, and the im¬ 
measurably sandy wastes (the Sahara proper, 
across which caravan lines run). The “ band of 
little black men ” can no longer be held fabulous, 
since Miani and Schweinfurth added the Akya to 
M. du Chaillus Obongo. The extensive marshes 
were the northern limit of the tropical rains, and 
the “ City of Enchanters ” is the type of many still 
existing in inner Africa. The great river flowing 
