Theories may be far short of the truth, but while they display the ingenuity and reasoning powers of their authors, they tend to keep alive that spirit of inquiry and thirst for knowledge which terminates in discovery.
Various accounts of this river had been gradually collected from different sources, which afforded grounds for fresh theories respecting its termination.

That of Reichard was the favourite, he supposing that it assumed a southwest course, and terminated in the gulph of Guinea.

It was observed at the time, that there was neither evidence on which such an opinion could be supported, nor any by which it could be refuted.

Discovery has proved him to be right in respect to its ultimate disposal; but at the same time, he participated in the general error regarding its course to Wangara.
These different opinions appeared in several publications, in which, as might be expected, much error was mixed up with the general correctness.

That the river flowed into the sea at Funda, was the principal and chief point that was gained; but the most extraordinary circumstance attending this discovery, was, that no one knew where Funda was.