Geographical Notes

Abstract

WE understand that a letter was received in London last Saturday from a member of one of the Belgian Expeditions in Central Africa, stating that he had met Mr. Thomson, with the African Exploration Fund's Expedition, on May 18, at a place some ten days' march from Simba's, so that the party had evidently found it necessary to return to the coast by the caravan route to Bagamoyo or Saadani instead of following the original plan of coming out at Kilwa. It is probable that the change of route was necessitated by civil wars among the native tribes. Mr. Thomson has thus had an opportunity, not contemplated at the outset, of passing through a considerable tract of unknown country between the south-east of Lake Tanganyika and Unyan-yembe, and it is satisfactory to know that in so doing he has been able to visit Lake Hikwa and settle its proper position, which has been a puzzle to geographers for some time. In a map accompanying the account of Mr. H. B. Cotterill's journey with the late Capt. Elton northwards from the head of Lake Nyassa, this lake is placed with dotted lines in a position which is probably a good deal too much to the south and east of its true locality. The letter above referred to added that Mr. Thomson was in excellent health, and that he claimed to have traversed 2,000 miles of unknown country in the twelve months he had then been on the march. A telegram from H.M.'s Consul-General at Zanzibar, dated July 17, announces the safe return of Mr. Thomson and his party.