New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-16
The Central Region Regions of Africa.

We extract the following from the Lond0H
AthenGum of 31st ult.
a am happy to be ole to inform you that the
great expedition IN the north OF Africa has been
more successful than that in the south to explore
Lake Ngami Letters from Dr. Barth and DR..
Overweg inform rs of their having accomplished
the journey across the Great Desert, or Sahara,
and of their arrival the frontiers of the king
dom of AR, or Asben, Air is the modern Tuarick,
and Asben the ancient Sudan name, the most
powerful in that part of Africa after Bornu and
never explored by Europeans. On the gath Al.
gust the date of their last letters, they were at
Taradshit, q small place, which, from itineraries
sent by DR.. Overweg in former letter. and from
the positions ofMussuk and Kano, place in about
90 80 n lat and 90 long. l.. of Greenwich.
From my former communication it will have
been seen that the two travellers LETT Mursuk on
the 18th of June, leaving Mr. Richardson at that
place to await the Tuarick escort from Chat
Much delay was caused by this circumstance es.
pecslly as Hatita, the well known Tuarick chiet,
is now an old and decrepid man, able to travel
only at slow pace so that the journey from
Mursuk to Chat, which is generally accomplished
in twelve days, occupied them thitty'siX' 1hey
were, however, compensated by the discovery
of some extremely curious rockscuptures IN the
Wady Telissare, about twenty English miles
west OF w ady ElauWen, which Is about 10 Eng
lish miles west Of Mursuk, roughly estimated
One Of these sculptures consists OF two human
ORA ana UuIi-UeduGU AEIiGu " tk k'Satof
Shields and arrows and combating Tor culid.
The other is fine group of oxen going to water.
ing place most artlfcially grouped and skiutuuy
executed.
+" In the opinion ofboth travellers. the two works
bear a striking and unmistakable resemblance TO
the sculptures of Egypt. They are evidently OF
very high antiquity and superior to numerous
other sculptures OF more recent date found by the
travellers in which camels generally formed the
principal object. They most probably relate to
period of ancient Libyan history, when camels
were unknown in that part of Africa, and oxen
were used in their stead.
The travellers also collected much Information
relative to the general physical character seo.o
~. and nataral history of the region between
Mursuk and Chat. From the former place west
ward the country was found to ascend as iaf as
beyond Wady Telissar6i whence 1t descehded
into the deep Wady Talia which runs from norm
to south, in direct parallel with W ad{ uHat
from which it is separated by range o. steeg
hills This range, as well as the eliminating p1s-
ton of the tabe,land TO the east, consists l1Ae
that found between Tnpoli and Mursuk' o. o--ssA 1
sandstone. with sub strata OF limestone ana mari
III, srn,nits of these sandstone ridges form
o;,,ted sharp.edged knife-like crest, winch It IS
ont Of the question 10 think OF ascending or gong
along. OF fossil remains, orthoceras, brachyopo-
da, &c. were found. r.,.
,,ort of africa. greater abundance OF granineous
II ants was found in the rich Wadis than had pre-
Yyiousiy been met with Of trees, the talha and
letheb had taken the place of the date-paln, which
was not seen beyond Tesssuna, about two days
Journey west of Mursuk. Water was plentiful
the wells even pools, remaining from the last
rains. were met with in some ofthe w ads which
are generally dry. FIocks of pouleis de Car
image, attracted by the water, so precious IN
these regions, as well as numbers of small birds,
eazelles, hayes, foxes, and dormice enliyened the
surrounding country. In the large Wadisr near
Chat, numerous traces ofwild asses were noticed.
The expedition arrived at Chat on the 18th
July, and at Taradshit on the 22d of August. OF
their stay at the former place, their transactions
with the Tuarcks and their journey to the king.
dom Of AR, further particulars may be expected
shortly.
y may add that his Majesty the King of Pcus-
STA has been pleased at the instance Of the Chey-
alier Bunsen and aron Alexander yon Humboldt,
to augment the funds Of the two travellers by
grant OF 600 thalers-'