Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's GovernmentRichardson, James
History
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 2: Under the Orders and at the Expense of Her Majesty's Government
Richardson, James
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel; Richardson, James, 1806-1851
[6] See the papers read before the Geographical Society, in
January and March 1851. It appears to me that Mr. A.
Petermann slightly depresses the importance of the part
played by Mr. Richardson in this mission. However, this may
arise from the fact that the communications on which his
paper was founded were all from his German friends. It is
not necessary to be grudging of notice to any of the three
enterprising gentlemen who undertook this arduous journey;
but we must always remember who planned the Mission, and
who directed it with consummate prudence as long as life
and strength lasted. In Mr. Richardson's MS. an outline is
given of Dr. Barth's journey, and I therefore insert it,
with corrections and additions, from the papers just
alluded to.--ED.
This agreeable place prefaces the still more luxuriant scenery of
Asadah, where the vegetation is so rich, and the path so shut up by
branches, that it is difficult to keep on the camel's back. What a
contrast to the naked deserts of Ghât! It was from between the rich
foliage of this valley that Dr. Barth obtained his first glimpses of the
majestic mountain-chain of Dogem, estimated to attain the height of
between four and five thousand feet. It is the loftiest range in Aheer.
The plain of Erarer-en-Dendemu, which next succeeds, is covered with
brushwood and low trees, and inhabited by lions--here called the Father
of the Wilderness. Dr. Barth saw several, as well as a kind of ape about
the size of a small boy, squatting in crowds on the lower hills. Beyond,
overhung by the mountains of Anderas, is the rocky plain of Tarist,
famous among the Arabs, as well as the Kailouees, on account of the
remains of a mosque, indicated only by lines of stones on the ground. It
was founded by a great saint called Sidi Baghdadi, and is a general
resting-place for caravans. The basaltic formation here succeeds the
granitic; and the plain is covered with loose black stones, about the
size of a child's head.
Escaping from this rough ground, the travellers entered a narrow valley,
trenched by a broad watercourse, along the sides of which was a thick
growth of palm-trees. There are two villages in this wady. Near one of
them slaves were seen yoked to a plough, and driven like oxen, by their
master. Further south the hoe replaces the plough in preparing the
ground. This valley, inhabited by the Imrad (a Targhee tribe), is
capable of producing not only ghaseb, but corn, wine, dates, and all
kinds of vegetables. Fifty gardens adorn, it is said, the neighbourhood
of Ifargen. But, in general, the rich soil is left uncultivated, and is
covered by wild and sickly vegetation, which checks the progress of the
traveller.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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