Journey to Fadasi. 141 proposed to myself to undertake a new expedition to the upper eastern valley of the Nile as far as the lakes, accompanied by a naturalist and a photographic artist, with a view of collecting the astronomical, anthropological, and natural history material necessary to the ample and exact knowledge of this part of the Dark Continent, so interesting and so little known.

" Xot wishing to fall a burden to any scientific society, I refused many generous offers made to me, intending to carry out the work at my own expense.

" I found in Mr. Giacomo Morch, Doctor of Natural Science, and in Mr. Riccardo Buchta, skilled photographic artist, tAvo companions full of good-will and courage, and, after consulting with them, decided to reach Khartoum v\(h iSuakim and Berber, and thence ascend the White Nile, the Sobat and the Gazelle,' so as to penetrate beyond the tribes of the Madi to those of the Akka. There I intended Mr. Buchta to make photographs and drawings of numerous anthropological types, and to employ Mr. Morch in " collecting geological and natural history notes, while I, having a little of the necessary knowledge, would take astronomical observations, ascertain geographical positions and survey the country, all uniting in the study of the natural and civil conditions of the regions we traversed.

" Such an undertaking, hoAvever audacious, did not seem to me to exceed our capabilities. It would have been of great use to science, and, as I think, have redounded to the credit of our country. I had expended five months' labour and no little money on my plan, devoting to it the fruits of my industry and savings.

" On returning to Cairo last April, my first care was to hurry on our expedition, and fortune was so far favourable to me, that on the 11th of that month