ning, where he derives this left branch of the Nile from the-
principal river, and fays, that, after palling the kingdom
of Dongola, it enters Nubia. Now, when it entered Dongola
it mull have already palled Nubia, for Dongola is the
capital of the Barabra, every inch of which is to the northward
o f Nubia. I do not know worfe guides in the geography
o f Africa than Leo Africanus and the Nubian geographer.
I believe them both impoftors, and the commentators
upon them have greatly increafed by their own con--
JeCtures, the confulion and errors which the text has every--
where occafioned-
As far as I have been ever able to learn, by a very diligent:
and cautious inquiry,from the inhabitants of the neighbouring
countries, ¥ believe the origin o f the Niger is in lat. I 2P
north, and in long. 30“ from the meridian o f Greenwich
nearly; that it is compofed o f various rivers falling down
the fides of very high mountains, called Dyre and Tegla ;.
and runs ftraight weft into the heart o f Africa.. I conclude
alfo, that this river (though it has abundant fupply from every
mountain) is very m uch diminifhed by evaporation, running
in a long courfe upon the very limits of the tropical
rains, when entire, under the name o f Senega; or, perhaps,
when divided under tliofe of Senega and Gambia, it lofes
itfelf in the Atlantic Ocean. I conceive alfo, that, as Pliny.'
fays, it has the fame tafte and natural productions with the
Nile, becaufe it runs in the fame Climate, and like tfiar river
awes, i f not its exillence, yet certainly its- increafe and fuk
nefs to the fame caufe, the tropical rains in the northern;
tenaifphere falling from high mountains.
I h o e e :
I h o p e I have now fully exhaufted every fubjeCt worthy
of inquiry as to the place where the fountains of the Nile
are fitUated, alfo as to its courfe and various names, the
different countries through which it flows, the true caufe,
and every thing curious attending its inundations; and that
as, in old times, Caput Nili Quaerere, tofeek thefource of the Nile,.
was a proverb in ufe to fignify the impoflibility of an attempt,
it may hereafter be applied, with as much reafon, to
denote the inutility of any fuch undertakings-
C H A R .