FOOTNOTES:
[1] These planks are sawed; of this, at least, I think I am certain. The natives are indebted to the Moors for the knowledge of the saw. Wood is so scarce in this country that it is necessary to make a tree produce as many planks as possible.
[2] An abbreviation of Moubark.
[3] This custom also prevails on the Senegal.
[4] The word Nile is generic, as are also the terms Bahr’Bâ, Kouara, and many similar names.
[5] Like the shields of the ancient Egyptians.
[6] When I wrote in the desert, I sat down and placed on my knees some leaves of the Koran, which I was supposed to be copying and studying. See plate 3.
[7] Of about two feet.
[8] See plates 4 and 5.
[9] See plate 3.
[10] See plate 6.
[11] I have already observed that Nile is a generic term and does not necessarily apply to the Egyptian river.
[12] Wooden locks and keys are also used in Egypt and Nubia.
[13] See the plan of a private house. Plate 5, Figs. 4. 5.
[14] It is doubtful whether the English traveller would have expressed himself in this manner.
[15] The value of the gold mitkhal is about twelve francs, and the silver mitkhal about four.
[16] It was the Moors of the tribe of Zawât, who assassinated Major Laing.
[17] The Hoden of the maps.
[18] Hedysarum alhagi.
[19] The Guigo without doubt.
[20] A kind of inn.
[21] Felous is a generic word signifying coined money. At Fez this name is also given to a copper coin resembling the gu of Egypt.
[22] This is the river which on the maps is called Sebou, and into which the sea ascends.
[23] M. Amédée Jaubert has already presented to the Geographical Society a translation of the first climate of the geography of el-Edricy, from the manuscript which he has discovered: the entire work will be printed in the collection of this society’s memoirs. The Rev. M. Renouard is also preparing in London, a translation of another inedited manuscript of the same geographer.
[24] See Geogr. Nubiens, by Gabriel Sionit., p. 7, 9, Paris, 1619, in-4to, and Hartmann, Edrisii Africa, p. 28 to 55 and pass. Gotting. 1795, 8vo.
[25] Agadez, according to M. Walckenaer. See his learned Recherches géographiques sur l’Intérieur de l’Afrique Septentr. p. 11, in which work almost all the materials which should be consulted by those who are studying the history of African discoveries are quoted and collected.
[26] M. Walckenaer has already remarked that on the ancient map on wood in the King’s library (of the middle of the 14th century) Timbuctoo is indicated by the name of Tenbuch. Its foundation dated about a century and a half earlier. Rech. sur l’Afr. Septentr. &c., p. 14.
[27] Insula verò Ulil in mare sita est, etc. Geograph. Nubiens p. 7. But bahr signifies both river and sea.
[28] This same extract more complete has just been published in an English translation by Mr. S. Lee, under the title of Travels of Ibn Batuta, etc. London, 1829.—During my abode at Cairo, I heard mention of a complete manuscript, the work of Ben-Batouta, deposited in the library of the Mosque el-Azhar.
[29] Perhaps تغازي and not تغاري Teghary as read by Burckhardt, or Tegherry, which would conduct him to the centre of the kingdom of Fez: M. Kosegarten read تغازا and Mr. Lee ثغازي in one of the manuscripts.
[30] Oualet, according to M. Walckenaer.
[31] This opinion is adopted by M. Walckenaer (Recherches sur l’Afrique sept. &c. p. 32).
[32] According to the traveller Adrien Partarrieu, a man of colour, resident at Senegal, who was well acquainted with the languages both of Africa and Europe, and capable of making good geographical observations.
[33] See Histoire complète des Voyages et Découvertes en Afrique, by Dr. Leyden, and H. Murray, French translation, vol. 3, page 173 and the following.
[34] The position of Timbo should first be corrected from the observations of Major Laing.
[35] It has already been remarked (if an author may be permitted to quote himself) in the Réflexions sur l’état des connaissances relatives au cours du Dhiolibâ (page 23) that the catastrophe appears to have occurred about the 4th of January 1806. He set out from Sansanding about the 19th of November, his voyage therefore could only have lasted about forty seven days.
[36] Compare the map of Park’s second journey, in the “Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa,” etc. London, 1815.
[37] Otherwise Benjamin Rose.
[38] Nouveau Voyage dans l’Intérieur de l’Afrique, fait en 1820, etc. translated from the English by the Chevalier de Frasans, Paris, 1817.
[39] Such a change cannot have taken place in eighteen years.
[40] See plate 6, in this volume, and the explanation.
[41] See below, Chapter II, and Nouveau Voyage, &c. p. 79.
[42] It has been already observed, that he gave five Arabic words, as those of Timbuctoo. Nouveau Voyage, page 175.
[43] The substitution of Bahr zahara (river of the desert) for Marzarah, as proposed by M. Dupuis, appears improbable. See Rel. d’Adams, page 136.
[44] See below, page 217, the analysis of the general map, § II, Art. 3.
[45] See further on for what relates to the basins of the different rivers.
[46] From this lofty range the Rio-Grande and the rivers of the Timannie flow to the west and south-west; the Gambia, the Falemé, the Bâfing or Senegal, to the north; and the Dhioliba and its tributaries, to the east. It is probably connected with the mountains vulgarly called Kong, a word the true signification of which is mountain.
[47] Several points however of these narratives, which I cannot here pretend to reconcile, yet remain to be elucidated.
[48] See the Voyage dans l’Afrique occidentale de 1818 à 1821, by Major William Gray, and the late Surgeon Dochard, Paris, 1826, translated by Mme. Ch. Huguet. Every one is acquainted with the unhappy issue of this mission, during which, however, interesting observations were made, equally worthy the attention of geographers and of philanthropists.
[49] See on this subject, the Nouvelle Histoire générale des voyages, &c. published by M. Walckenaer.
[50] See below, Art. 3, remarks on the extent of an hour’s and a day’s journey in Northern Africa.
[51] Ninety-six days exclusive of those of rest.
[52] The two days’ journey in a mountainous country must necessarily be valued at less than eighteen geographical miles each.
[53] See amongst others La Sénégambie pour servir à la nouvelle Histoire générale des Voyages de M. Walckenaer &c. par M. Dufour, 1828.
[54] It appears to me that M. Dufour, in his estimable work on Senegambia, restricts himself too scrupulously to the details of M. Mollien’s route, which nevertheless are very valuable.
[55] The Mandingoes place the Couranco, where Major Laing places the Soulimana, that is to say they prolong the Couranco to the N. W., towards the sources of the Dhioliba.
[56] All the rivulets near Kakondy nevertheless flow to the north into the Rio-Nuñez; but their course is short; perhaps also, some of the succeeding ones fall into the Rio-Grande.
[57] Sami to the west of Sego, 13° 17’ north, second journey of Mungo Park, Journal of a Mission, &c. London, 1815, page 149 and 150.
[58] It is nearly due N. E.
[59] See, farther on, the tracing of the course of the river.
[60] It is the same with that from Djenné to Timbuctoo.
[61] M. Walckenaer, as I have elsewhere said, was among the first to acknowledge the necessity of this alteration. See Recherches, &c. See also Vol. II, of the Mémoires de la Société de Géographie, and its Bulletin or Recueil périodique.
[62] The journal shows four days’ distance; these must be days of twelve leagues: there are actually eight ordinary days’ journeys with the windings.
[63] See § V below.
[64] See § V. farther on.
[65] See Art. 3.
[66] See pages [457] and [464].
[67] In the map which accompanies his work, M. Walckenaer places Tafilet about 5° east of Morocco; but M. Lapie, in the map to M. Cochelet’s travels makes it only 3 degrees and a half distant. This is also the difference of longitude which results from the route of M. Caillié as traced by me, the positions of Morocco and Fez being moreover precisly known. The whole eastern part however of the empire of Morocco presents difficulties and uncertainties, which cause the necessity of new observations to be sensibly felt.
[68] May not the too great remoteness of Tafilet from Fez arise from the custom of which I have spoken, which always exaggerates itinerary distances?
[69] May not the word beheim which in Arabic signifies cattle be here mistaken for the name of a place?
[70] About 300 miles south of Nun, 500 north of Tumbut, and 100 from the Ocean: it is evident that no point can fulfil all these conditions.
[71] Perhaps el-Quebly ال قبلي improperly pronounced; this word, signifying which is to the south, should, it is probable, be erased front the maps.
[72] For caravans moderately laden, see observations below.
[73] Toudeyni is at the distance of one day’s journey.
[74] There is reason to believe that the caravan rested several times during marches of more than twelve hours.
[75] El-Yabo a Berber town, is one day’s journey N. W. of Zenatyia.
[76] Afilé is near this place.
[77] I am not speaking of points more or less in the neighbourhood of the route, as Labé, or of the first part of the course of the Dhioliba.
[78] The lengths of the style and of the shadow were taken with cords, which have been brought back to France, and which I have measured with the utmost possible care, comparing them with a good copper metre.
The style was a very straight stick, placed quite vertically, by means of a plummet, which the traveller brought away with him, and which is deposited at the vice-consulate at Tangier, in the hands of M. Delaporte.
[79] I am indebted for this calculation, and for the following obliging notice to Lieut. Col. Corabœuf, of the corps of royal geographical engineers.
| Zenithal distance of the superior edge of ⊙ | 22° | 22’ |
| Semi-diameter of ⊙ | 0° | 16’ |
| 22° | 38’ | |
| Southern declination of ⊙ | 13° | 38’ |
| North latitude | 9 | 0 |
[80] Two thousand, eight hundred and forty nine miles and a quarter.
[81] I say nothing of the false information, which the natives, and especially the Moors, have wilfully given to Europeans, to keep them away from the centre of Africa; some out of fanaticism, others for fear of losing the advantages of commerce.
| Zenithal distance of the superior edge of ⊙ | 2° | 26’ |
| Semidiameter of ⊙ | 0° | 16’ |
| 2 | 42 | |
| Northern declination of ⊙ | 15 | 9’ |
| North latitude | 17 | 51 |
I must not conceal the fact that M. Caillié made four similar observations in different places, which are too inconsistent with the itinerary to be made any use of.
[83] I have formerly given a rather remarkable example of an analogous application, in the height of the great pyramid of Memphis, measured by the assistance of mathematical instruments, and afterwards by the addition of the partial measures of the degrees, worked by imperfect processes. The results differ very little, but the number of the partial measures was 203.
[84] The latitude as determined by M. Walckenaer approaches very near to this result.
[85] See the Bulletin of the Geographical Society, the second volume of its memoirs, and the map of the Course of the Gambia beyond Coussaye etc.
[86] “An Account of the Empire of Morocco,” p. 240.
[87] In his letter dated from Timbuctoo, Major Laing speaks of a distance of fifteen days’ journeys between Sego and Timbuctoo; I find upon the map about three hundred and fifty-four miles in a direct line; the days’ journeys are of twenty four miles, or those of a light caravan.
[88] The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, &c. p. 164.
[89] A Chart of the River Gambia, &c.
[90] Annales Maritimes for the year 1827, second part, vol. ii, p. 276.
[91] Ann. Marit. for the year 1828; second part, vol. i, pages 933 and 941.
[92] The Journal, &c. p. 21.
[93] M. de Beaufort has made, at Senegal, two observations which differ from the above by more than 5°, and others which exceed from 2 to 5 degrees: this variation is, no doubt, owing to local circumstances.
[94] The journeys of the subsequent days were shorter.
[95] It is the same with the route from Timbuctoo to Arbate.
[96] Impatience to arrive, and above all, the imperious necessity of reaching the wells, sufficiently account for these long journeys through the desert.
[97] Recherches sur l’Afrique septentrionale, &c., page 266.
[98] After all deductions.
[99] Or from 24 to 26, on account of a ten hours’ march of two miles and six-tenths an hour.
[100] The learned M. Eyriès in his Geographical Observations on the discoveries of M. Mollien, confines the day’s journey to five leagues, or twelve geographical miles; this estimate applies only to certain cases, for example the long extended journeys of pedestrians, but not to the days’ journeys of ordinary caravans.
[101] Carte générale des Etats du Nord de l’Afrique, &c.
[102] The data and calculations exhibited above, being the basis upon which I have reduced the itinerary map and used it for the general map, it is superfluous here to explain more at length the necessary differences between the two; but I have considered it equally my duty to give the first without modification, that is to say constructed solely upon the estimate of the journeys. I shall here give the general result of M. Caillié’s days’ journeys, which, as a whole, deserve attention for their continuity and extent.
| JOURNEYS | Number of days of actual travel. | Number of hours of travel. | Estimated number of English miles. | Number of hours journey daily. | Estimated number of English miles. | Number of geographical miles. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| per hour. | per day. | per hour. | per day. | |||||
| From Kakondy to Timé | 48 | 176½ | 529¼ | 3,7 | 3 | 11,0 | 2,14 | 9,43 |
| „ Timé to Galia | 62 | 148 | 444 | 2,4 | 3 | 7,2 | 2,14 | 6,17 |
| „ Galia to Timbuctoo by water | 26 | 262 | 524 | 10 | 2 | 20 | 1,43 | 17,2 |
| „ Timbuctoo to Fez | 67 | 630 | 1260 | 9,3 | 2 | 18,8 | 1,43 | 16,1 |
| „ Fez to Arbate | 4 | 45 | 90 | 11,2 | 2 | 22,5 | 1,43 | 19,3 |
| Totals | 207 | 1261½ | 2849¼ | „ | „ | „ | „ | „ |
| Progress of caravans heavily laden, bythe hour in geographical miles: from 1⁹⁄₂₀ to 1½ | ||||||||
| „ moderately laden, by the hour in ditto. .from 2to ³⁄₂₀ | ||||||||
[103] See Chapter 3.
[104] See Chapter 2 below.
[105] Couaraba, or River-River; thus the Africans call the Nile Ba-ba.
[106] See below § V.
[107] “This place,” says Leo, “is a very abundant mine of salt, whiter than marble, at the distance of about twenty days’ journey from any inhabited spot, and having wells of very salt water only.” The author does not give its exact situation. See Descrip. Africæ, 1. 6, p. 425, Figur. 1559.
[108] I apprehend this word to be corrupted by the Europeans because Kount, the same perhaps as Kant, is actually the name of a tribe of the Sahara, according to M. Caillié’s Itinerary.
[109] Perhaps a different place from Walet, as I have conjectured above.
[110] When properly written, I do not think that this word contains a ي ye. We may be satisfied, however, with the orthography تمبكتُ Temboctou, and the word is perhaps composed of the Berber particle te or ta, as Tamaroc, Takant, Tarekne, T-rarzas, T-razah, etc., and of m-boctou, formed like M-dayara. I know that Ben Batouta writes Tenboctou, تنبكتوا The only doubt remaining is relative to the use of the m or n. See The Travels of Ibn Batouta, English translation by Mr. Lee, London 1829, p. 237.
[111] See in § V further on, several remarks upon the nomenclature.
[112] On the left bank the Tankisso, and several others; on the right bank the Couaraba, the Bagoé, &c.
[113] Volume II of the Memoirs of the Geographical Society, page 54.
[114] Speaking of the sight of the river, which he obtained from the heights of Toniba, at four leagues distance, Park exclaims: “I once more saw the Niger rolling its immense stream along the plain.” (The Journal of a Mission, &c. London, 1815, page 143).
[115] See Section III below.
[116] Journal of a Mission, &c., 144, and following pages.
[117] I have already called the reader’s attention to the fact that M. Walckenaer had carried this position at least two degrees farther west than the old maps. Subsequent observations, which I have employed myself in collecting, have proved that a change in this direction was necessary. To judge of its extent it was essential to have good observations taken at Galam, (or at Bakel), as well as a new itinerary between Senegambia and the Dhioliba. It is on these more accurate data that I have endeavoured to work.
[118] On occasion of the rains, the useful assistance he derived from his English umbrella may be remarked, not only for the shelter it afforded him, but for the importance which the natives attached to it, the admiration it produced, and the advantage he derived from that admiration. This narrative shews that this is one of the portable articles which Europeans would be most certain of exporting with success to Africa.
[119] The Marabouts write this word عَراَوَان
[120] See the description of this city in Mr. Jackson’s work, quoted above, and that of Timbuctoo, in the Travels of Robert Adams and of Riley, in Leo Africanus, and in the Recherches of M. Walckenaer, &c.
[121] The king of Tombuto, according to Leo, had three thousand horsemen under his command, and an almost innumerable multitude of archers. One very remarkable circumstance is that fire destroyed, according to this author, (if we read oppidi pars) almost half the city in the space of five hours. Leo’s recital is the most important, and perhaps the most authentic, of any we have hitherto possessed. These motives induce me to place it entire before the reader, in order that he may compare it with the new narrative. I shall quote the Latin version made from the Italian of Leo (2nd edition), though it is not quite so accurate as might be wished: it is well known that Leo wrote it originally in Arabic. See Joannis Leonis Africani de totius Africæ Descriptione lib, Tiguri, 1559. 431 and following pages.
TUMBUTUM REGNUM.
Hujus regni nomen nostris ferè temporibus ab ejusdem nominis oppido desumptum volunt, cujus conditorem fuisse dicunt quemdam Mensè-Suleiman, hegiræ anno sexcentesimo decimo: in duodecimo milliario à quodam fluviolo situm fuit, quod è Nigro flumine effluebat; cujus domus omnes in tuguriola cretacea[A] stramineis tectis sunt mutatæ. Visitur tamen elegantissimum quoddam templum, cujus murus ex lapidibus atque calce vivo est fabricatus: deindè et palatium quoddam regium à quodam Granatæ viro artificiosissimo conditum. Frequentissimæ hìc sunt artificum, mercatorum, præcipuè autem telæ atque gossypii textorum, officinæ. Hùc mercatores barbari pannum ex Europâ afferunt. Hujus quoque regionis mulieres faciem tegunt, ancillis tamen exceptis, iisque quæ omnia ad victum necessaria vendunt. Incolæ, ac inter hos exteri præsertim, sunt ditissimi, adeò ut qui jam regem agit, utramque filiam duobus mercatoribus ditissimis in uxores dederit. Frequentissimi hìc putei, qui aquam præbent dulcissimam; ac quoties Niger flumen excrescit, ejus aquam ductibus quibusdam in urbem trahunt. Regio est frumentis, pecudibus, lacte atque butyro copiosissima: salis verò summa est penuria; hùc enim à Tegasa, quod oppidum in quingentesimo abest milliario, adferri solet. Ego cùm hìc essem, vidi salis sarcinam unam, quantùm camelus ferre potuit, octoginta emi aureis. Tumbuti rex opulentissimus bracteas aliquot atque sceptra habet, quorum nonnulla mille et trecentarum sunt librarum. Magnificam optimèque instructam alit aulam: quoties aliquò proficiscitur, camelo insidet, qui à nobilibus duci solet; idem evenit quoties ad bellum proficiscitur; milites verò omnes equites sunt. Hunc si quis regem alloqui velit, ad pedes primùm procidit, deindè terram sumens in caput atque humeros sternit: soletque hic fère mos ab illis servari, qui nunquam anteà regi sunt locuti, aut qui ab alio principe hùc legati sunt missi. Equitum semper tria millia habet, pedites propemodùm innumeros, qui arcubus sagittas emittunt veneno infectas. Frequentissimè cum his belligerantur, qui tributum persolvere recusant, et quotquot prælio capere possunt, Tumbuti mercatoribus vendunt. Magna hìc est equorum paucitas; mercatores atque aulici pusillos quosdam alunt, quibus in itinere peragendo uti solent; præstantissimi autem equi à Barbaria adducuntur; Rex verò simul atque audit mercatores cum equis appulisse, mox numerum sibi adferri jubet, deindè omnium præstantissimum sibi deligit, pretiumque liberalissime persolvit. Judæis omnibus adeò se hostem atrocem præbet, ut nullos omninò in ea civitate admittat: si quos Barbaros aliquid cum Judæis commercii habere intelligit, statim illorum bona proscribere jubet. Magna hìc est judicum, doctorum, sacerdotum, atque virorum doctissimorum, copia, qui liberalissimis regiis aluntur stipendiis. Infiniti hìc libri manuscripti ex Barbaria adferuntur; è quibus multò plures pecuniæ quàm ex reliquiis omnibus mercibus colliguntur. Horum moneta aurea est, nullis figuris insignita: in rebus autem minutioribus cochleis quibusdam utuntur quæ hùc ex Persarum regione convehi solent, harum quadringentæ aureo æquivalent: aureorum autem sex, cum duabus unius aurei tertiis, unciam unam pendent. Homines naturâ sunt mites atque placidi; à vigesimâ quartâ in primam usque noctis horam cantando atque saltando omnes ferè civitatis partes ambiunt. Mancipia utriusque sexûs quàm plurima alunt: estque oppidum ignis injuriæ maximè obnoxium; ubi jàm secundùm ad hos venissem dimidia ferè oppida pars quinque horarum spatio igne deleta fuit. Nullum in suburbio hortum aut fructibus consitum locum reperies.
CABRA OPPIDUM.
Cabra sic satis amplum absque muris ad pagi modum compositum oppidum, distat à Tumbuto ad flumen Nigrum in duodecimo ferè milliario; hìc mercatores ad Gineæ aut Melli regnum navigare cupientes, naves conscendunt. Hujus tàm cives quàm ædificia Tumbuti ædificiis atque civibus non admodùm sunt inferiora: hùc Nigritæ navigio undique confluere solent. In hac civitate Tumbuti rex judicem quemdam constituit, qui lites inter eos componeret: molestum enim erat toties in anno eam ob causam eò proficisci. Ego hìc regis fratrem Abu-Bacr, cognomine Pargama, novi hominem, colore quidem nigrum, cæterùm animo atque ingenio candidissimum. Frequentissimi hìc exoriuntur morbi, qui rempublicam mirum in modum minuunt. Idque propter ciborum ineptissimam commixtionem: pisces enim lacte, butyro atque carnibus commiscent; estque hic præcipuus ferè Tumbuti cibus.
[A] These words are not a translation of capanne fatte di pali, coperte di creta, in the Italian text.
[122] Recherches sur l’Afrique Sept. &c., page 184.
[123] Recherches sur l’Afrique Sept. &c., page 184. It is true that this itinerary is less worthy of credit than that of Sheik Haggy-Cassem, translated by M. Delaporte, the date of which seems to be 1805, and which agrees on many points with M. Caillié. Those who have made this part of Africa the object of their studies will perceive some evident fiction in the former work.
[124] From Tangier to Timbuctoo, 450 leagues in a direct line; from Timbuctoo to Bouré 200 leagues, total 650 leagues; with the return 1300. From St. Louis to Caignon 110 leagues; from Caignon to Bouré 120; total 230, and with the return 460: difference in a direct line, 420, and with the return 840.
[125] See the French translation, by Messrs. Eyriès and de la Renaudière, tome II, supplement, pages 298, etc.
[126] The English translation of this document has here joined the countries of Fouta-Torou and Darboz; the latter cannot be San-Salvador, as the translator imagines.
[127] Similar instances have induced me long since to adopt the dh or gh in transcribing several African names, particularly in the word Dhioliba, independently of the meaning of the word Dhioli, which the natives would probably write جلي.
[128] I have however somewhere seen this name translated by Black River; the Banimma is marked on the eastern side, as well as the Balio.
[129] The Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa, by Major Denham and C. H. Clapperton. London, 1826, page 109 of Clapperton’s journal.
[130] I perceive also the name of Jerry amongst those of the districts subject to Mohammed-Labou: (Massina, Temboctou, Jerry) does this name stand for Jenné?
[131] The comparison of these two African maps with the accounts of Isaaco and Amadi-Fatouma, Mungo Park’s guides, affords results not unworthy of attention: but I have not room to deduce them.
[132] See “Quarterly Review.” See also Réflexions sur l’état des Connaissances relatives au Cours du Dhioliba, page 27.
[133] Ibidem, page 25.
[134] See above, Vol. I, the account of his first travels.
[135] On the 8th of October he arrived in France, five months after his departure from Timbuctoo; from this time the period of his compulsory residence in Morocco must be deducted. The Geographical Society awarded to him its highest premium at its general meeting on the 26th of December 1828, only seven months after he quitted Timbuctoo.
[136] It was during the dry season that the English travellers found it to be a hundred yards wide; but it is very broad at other times.
[137] The late Malte-Brun adopted this opinion immediately after the publication of the English travels to Saccatoo.
[138] See Ephémérid. Géogr. for the year 1803.
[139] Is it possible to quote this estimable traveller, who united so many extraordinary qualities, without offering a tribute of regret to his memory? His loss has deprived science of more than one discovery: all, however, has not perished with him; the account of his travels has been preserved; and it is to be hoped that it will speedily be published, with his maps and drawings.
[140] See Mémoire sur la Communication du Nil des Noirs avec le Nil d’Egypte, p. 9.
[141] Funda appears to be less than a hundred leagues from the sea, measuring the distance by the current.
[142] A Dissertation on the Course and probable Termination of the Niger, London, 1829.
[143] M. Chauvet, however has just published a conjecture coinciding with several different accounts, and possessing the advantage of embracing the whole question of the rivers which traverse Northern Africa in every direction: his opinion is developed at great length, and I should here insist upon the merit of this explanation, had not the author prevented me, by quoting my opinion as an authority. (Revue Encycl. October 1829).
[144] The numerals are the same as in Bambara.
[145] I have added within parentheses the words given by Mungo Park to shew the frequent agreement between the two travellers, the differences arise from the diversity of the countries through which they travelled.
It is to be regretted that travellers, when collecting the words of an unknown language, do not select peculiar and characteristic terms: it would be easier, by following this method of comparing the different idioms, to discover their family resemblance or their original dissimilarity. With this view, I have formed a rather extended specimen of a vocabulary principally for the use of travellers in Africa, with a methodic mode of interrogation (See Atlas Ethn. de M. Ad. Balbi, page xlviij).
I have also formed a collection of vocabularies of more than thirty idioms of Northern Africa, which may serve as a second part of the Vocabulaire des Voyageurs.—E. J.
[146] The r is changed into l in this word and many others see below.—E. J.
[147] The third numeral order of the Mandingoes, called kemmé, and which answers to a hundred, is composed of only eight tens; so that our hundred is equal to their hundred and twenty, which they express by kemmé ni mouga (a hundred and twenty). Their hundred being only eighty, their thousand is equal to eight of our hundreds.
[148] An opening in general. See the note, page [384].
[149] M. Caillié has observed that the word mountain is expressed by kong. Mungo Park has taken a generic term for the name of a particular mountain; Park himself here confirms my observations, by giving the word konko. I may add that the term for head is koung in Mandingo; and there is an analogy in the sense.—E. J.
[150] This word also signifies mouth, no doubt because it expresses that which opens, the ear, the mouth, the door, or any other opening.
[151] The gu, gh, or dh, has here a guttural sound.
[152] The ȷ̈ is used here, and in all the words that should have a strong guttural pronunciation; it is in the Spanish j, and the Arabic خ, kha.
[153] Inta, in Arabic, thou.
[154] So signifies village.
[155] I do not know the name of that.
[156] I have added between parentheses many words of the language spoken at Timbuctoo, according to Captain Lyon and Major Denham: these last are accompanied by the letter D.; it is remarkable that they are all confirmed by M. Caillié, and at the same time scarcely one of the others. The words given by Robert Adams to M. Dupuis are in the same predicament as those of Captain Lyon. This disagreement alone cannot prove the falsity of the travels of Adams; but it is at least well worthy of attention. See above Chap. 1. § 1.—E. J.
[157] According to Bowdich.
[158] A shell which passes for money.
[159] This word is perhaps meat in Arabic, taken for the act of eating, in consequence of an error similar to that noticed at the word hand.
[160] Or akhod. This is an Arabic word which signifies take; the motion of the hand has doubtless been taken for the hand itself.
[161] The resemblance of this word to ushti, to drink cannot fail to be here remarked. Is it not the position of the hand in the act of drinking which has caused the confusion made by Capt. Lyon?—E. J.
[162] This should, no doubt be the same word, tarno or tamo.
[163] The English mile is intended; the traveller having, before he quitted Sierra-Leone, acquired the habit of estimating his march, in a given time, according to a space measured in English miles.
All the other details of the route, and those which relate to the accidents of the soil, are noted in the journal of the travels to which it will be necessary to have recourse in order fully to understand the circumstances of the march.
[164] Beyond Kera, the journeys were noted by hours, which have been here turned into miles at the rate of two miles an hour. The night marches, directed by the true north are summarily mentioned in the column of observations.
[165] This is the mosque called in the description the Western Mosque, and which is situated to the W. S. W. of the town.
[166] My learned friend M. Delile, author of the Flore d’Egypte, considers this tree as the persea of the ancients; but this opinion is disputed.
[167] See “Réflexions sur l’état des Connoissances relatives au Dhioliba,” page 25.
[168] M. Caillié has brought away some seeds and fragments of gramineous and leguminous plants, collected between Timé and Djenné, and on the banks of the Dhioliba, now deposited at the vice-consulate of Tangier, with some white stone from the wells of El-Araouan, some minerals, and the plummet of which I have spoken.
[169] Descript. Afric. &c. page 429, Tigur. 1559.
[170] Consult the interesting work entitled Naufrage du brig français la Sophie, par M. Charles Cochelet, (Paris, 1821, in 8vo) where the author affirms that Sidi-Hamet did not visit Timbuctoo, and raises doubts upon the travels of Adams. (Tom. 2, chap. XV.)
[171] M. Jomard’s share in the publication is confined to the itinerary, the maps and the geographical discussions, the division, and the general superintendence of the work.
[172] It is the line which Watt and Winterbottom took in 1794.
[173] He passed considerably to the east of these towns.
[174] See the report page [451].
Transcriber's note:
Only evident typographical errors have been corrected; other inconsistencies or mistakes have been kept in.
To see the [General map] and [Itinerary map] in full detail, the reader is referred to the Carte itinéraire du voyage de M. Caillié à Jenné et à Temboctou (E.M. Jomard, 1829), digitized and available at the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Similarly, the plate elements listed in the [Explanation of the Plates] that do not appear in ["View of the city of Timbuctoo"] (also named "View of part of the town of Timbuctoo, taken from the summit of a hill to the E. N. E.") can be found in the French original.