The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-10
The Central Regions of Afric,.

am happy 10 be able 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 us of their having accomplished
the journey over the Great Desert Of Sahara, and
OF their arrival near the frontiers OF the kingdom
Ar or Ashen, (Air is the modern Tnarick, and
Asoen the ancient Sudan name,) The most power.
1ui IN that part of Africa after Bornu, and never
explored by Europeans. On the 24th of August.
the date OF their last letters, they Were at Tarad.
sh, small place, which, from itineraries sent by
Dr. Overweg in former letter, and from the
positions of Mursuk and Kauo, | place in about
70 deg 30 min N. E., and deg. 20 min. Long,
East of Greenwich.
FROM from my former communication (see ante, D.
ooo) u VIII nave been seen that the two travellers
ieit MnrsDk on the l2sh of June, leaving Mr.
hcharhson at that place to await the Tuarick
escort from Chat. Much delay was caused by this
circumstance especially as Hatta, the well known
Iuarck chief, is now old decrepid man, able to
treVel at only slow pace, so that the journey
from mufsuk TO Chat, which is generally ac.
cothpished IN twelve days, occupied them thirty.
sM Ihey were, however, COMPENSATED bv the
discovery OF some extremely curious rock. .sculp.
tnres ia the Wady Telis.are, about twenty Eng
llsh miles west of Wady Elauwen, which i abn1St
Ilo English miles west of Mursuk roughly esti
mated One of these sculptures consists or ,,'o
human bird and bull headed figures armed with
spears, shields, and aTrows,-a and combating for n
child The other is a fine group of oxen going to a
watering place, most arlistcaly grouped and skill
fully executed. In the opinion of both travellers
the two works bear 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 travellers, in which cames generally
formed the principal object. They most probably
relate to period of ancient Lybian history when
camels were unknown in that part of Africa and
oxen were used in their steed.
The travellers also collected much information
relative to the general physical character, geology,
and natural history of the region between Mursnk
and Chat. From the former place westward the
country was found to ascend as far as bevond
Wady Telissare whence it descended into the
deep Wady Falja which runs from north to soutb.
"a direct parallel with Wady Chat, from which
II is separated by range of steep hills. This
range, as we'll as the eliminating portion of the
table-land TO the easF, consists, like that found
between Tripoli and Mursuk, of black sandstone,
with subs!rata OF limestone and mari. The sum
mits sof these sandstone ridges form a pointed,
sharpedged, knifelife crest, which it is out of the
question to think Of ascending or going along. or
fossil remains orthoceras, brachoypoda, etc., were
found.
With respect to the botanical character of this
part of Africa, a greater abundance of pramineons
plants found in the rich Wadis than had pre
viously been met with. OF trees, the talha and
letheb had taken the place of the date palm which
was not seen beyond Iessauna, about two days'
journey west of Mursuk. Water was plentiful in
'io "ehe' sven poois, remaining IRON the last
rains, were met with in some of Wads which are
generally dry. Flocks of "poulets de CARTHAGE
attracted by the water, so precious in these re-.
gions, as well as numbers of small birds, gazelles.
hares, foxes, and dormice, enlivened the surround
ing country. In the larger Wadis, near Chat
numerous traces of wild asses were noticed.
The expedition arrived at Chat on the 18th .Julv
and at Taradshit on the 22d of August. OF their
stay at the former place, and their journey to the
kingdom of Air, further particulars may be ex.
pected shortly.
may add that his Majesty the King of Prussia
has been pleased, at the instance of the Chevalier
Bunsen and Baron Alexander Won Humboldt. 10
augment the funds of the two travellers by grant
OF lOOO thalers. Correspondence of the London
Athen@um, November 2S