A narrative of travels in Northern Africa,

In 1818, Lyon (1795-1833) was sent along with Joseph Ritchie by Sir John Barrow to find the course of the Niger River and the location of Timbuktu. The expedition was underfunded and lacked support. A year later, due to much officialdom they had only got as far as Murzuk where they both fell ill. Ritchie never recovered and died there, but Lyon survived and travelled a little further around the region. Exactly a year to the day he left, he arrived back in Tripoli. Lyon travelled in Arabic dress, and being fluent in Arabic, was able to gain insights missed by more conventional travellers. On his return, he travelled on Parry's expedition to the Arctic as Commander on board the Hecla

The hand-coloured plates, after drawings by Lyon, are particularly attractive.