The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-02 00:00:00

, EXPLORATION OF AFRICA. F.ROJI ZANZIBAR.

(From the Bombay Times.)
Captain Dorton and Lieutenant Speke left on Mon-
day by the Elphinstone for Zanzibar, to c immence a
series of explorations into the interior, for which two
years have been assigned them. They expect to be joined
by Dr. Steinhauser from Aden, and this completes
the arrangements of the expedition. It is not supposed
likely that the travellers will be able to remain more
than a twelvemonth at a time in the interior ; when
they find their supplies and resources begin to fail
them, they will probably visit Zanzibar, and make a
fresh departure inland. Their first obj.ct is to make for
the shores of the Great Lake or series of lakes in Central
Africa, which 20 Nears ago were only known by imper-
fect rumour, and from time to time were washed from
or replaced on the map, as our supposed knowledge
regarding them waxed or waned. We have every rea-
son to believe that sheets of fresh water of large expanse
exist in Central Africa just under the line, and so as far
south as the twentieth parallel, or probably over a space
nearly as large as the peninsula of Hindostan. That
this is a continuous inland sea we have no sufficient
ground for believing. That the lakes are united, is more
than probable ; that some of them are of vast magnitude
is almost certain ; but not only are we ignorant of their
size, their connections, width, and relations to each
other, but we are not so much as aware whether or not
they form a great independent lake and river system un-
connected with the ocean, or whether they may not send
off a portion of their waters to the sea. Captain Burton
is of opinio❑ that from some of them the Nile derives
its supplies. And the travellers from Zanzibar are not
without hope of meeting the great exploring party, now
proceeding southward from Egypt, and so between them
solving a problem which has formed the mystery of the
past 20 centuries. The Greek geographer, Ptolemy,
speaks of two extensive lakes, which owe their existence
to the melting of the snows on the Mountains of the
Moon as feeders of the Nile. These he describes as 6
and 7 south and 57 and 65 east. If we subtract the cor-
rection of 10 degrees required by all Ptolemy's observa-
tions, this will place them three Gr four north. Accord-
ing to Ptolemy, when the correction just referred to has
been applied, the Mountains of the Moon are very nearly
under the line, and this is the position now assigned to
the Great Snowy Range. It is to these wonderful regions
that the eyes of geographers in all parts of the world are
at present directed, and thitherward two bodies of bold
adventurers, one from Cairo, another from Bombay, are
at present directing their steps, with an enterprise before
them, laborious and dangerous as it is, often paralleled in
labour and in danger, but never certainly surpassed in
interest. The marvel is, that a field of such achieve-
ment should have been left to the present day nearly
unimproved.

Country Markets.

DERBY SMITIIFIELD.—DEo. 30.

There was an average supply of fat beasts to-day, prin•
cipally from our county graziers; the demand was not
great, but the best quality was in good request, and most
of the animals were disposed of. The supply of sheep was
small and better sold. The number of pigs wore not large,
fully maintaining former prices. Fat calves were more
plentiful and well sold.
The following were the quotations 2 —Be of, 63 to 61d;
mutton, 73 Co 7id ; lamb, —(1 to Od ; veal, 7d tc 81 per
lb. ; pigs, iOs6d to lls Od per scorn ; rough fat, 5s 6u to Us
per 141 b. ; hides, 44d to 6id per lb ; calf-skins, .4(1 to 6i
par lb.

EDINBURGH GRAIN.—DEI. 31.
Large supplies of grain in the market to-day. A consi.
derable demand for wheat and barley, which sold readily.
Oats and beans rather heavy.
Wheat, on the top, 4s up, and on the average Os .5(1
dpwn. Barley, is Od down on the top, and 51 down
on the average. Oats on the top 2s Od down—on the
average, is 3d down. Beans on the top 4s down, and
on the average, 43 41 dow n.
AVERAGES PER IMPERIAL QUARTER.
Wheat £2 2 4 10-12th.
Do. new -12th.
Barley
Oats 1 2 11 2-12ths.
Beans