n 6 in t e l l ig en c e co ncern ing the
the mountains, and is said to rush into the earth. All ihese rivers
are very low in the dry season, and swell amazingly during the
rainy season. The breadth of the Zad was given me for one mile,
(others said two); but in the rainy season, the breadth is said to be
a day’s journey, (i. e. eight hours). The Budumas always keep
themselves in the middle of this stream; they are a very savage,
heathenish nation.
These few informations are the best that I have been able to collect,
on the interior of Africa. In this relation, I pass over men
with tails, without necks, and without hair, without land, and living
only on the great sea. It would be an easy matter for me to write
you many letters on the interior state of Africa; but I might
thereby convey information inaccurate or untrue. Besides, am I not
returning to England? and if I do return, should I not reserve
something new and interesting to plead my excuse for returning ?
I f I do not perish in my undertaking, I hope in five years, I shall
be able to make the Society better acquainted with the people, of
whom I have given this short description. .
(Signed) FREDERICK HORNEMAN.
Extracts from~.it Letter accompanying the above Informations, dated
P Tripoly, igth of August, 1799.
4 '*"•*' • < • > ■A*..
“ A fter a journey of eleven days from Siwah, four of which we
travelled eighteen hours each day, through a desur.t^we arrived at
Augila, a small miserable town belonging to Tfijpoly; and after a
journey of sixteen days, more, we reached Temissa, the first village
of Fezzan. Seven of these sixteen days, ! was passing a black rocky
desert, certainly the worst of all routes in the world; and which has
doubtless been formed by some volcanic revolution. It is called.
Harutsch, and extend very far to the south-west;
“ From-Temissa, I came by way of Zuila, Tuilaj.and Tragan, to
Mourzouk, (which is-afeo.called Fezzan, and jjy the people of,Burnu*,
Zela). Mourzouk. is situated in. 25° 54,'. 15" north latitude.
With regard to the interior of Africa, I1 have made all- the inquiries
possible, and will, send you the result of them by the first
opportunities. Accept for the present the -following notices on that
subject.
“ The river you call Niger— in Soudan, Giilbi, or Gaora; in Burnuj
Zad; is a very large river,,into which fall more than twelve other
rivers-. It comes from-Tombuctoo, as-1 am told, runs-to the south
of Haussa (or Soudan), in the empire of Burnu; here it takes a
more-southern direction, and falls (at least I could not find a single
man who-said to. the contrary), south of Darfoor into the Nile.
There is- another river coming from Darfoor,- which passes by
Wadey and Metho, and: terminates in a. large lake called Fiddri,