JOURNAL OF AN EXPEDITION TO MADAGASCAR. 57 
Journal of aw Expedition to the Coast and Capital of Madagascar, 
in the gite of the late Mission to King Radama. By CHARLES 
Merrer, M.D., Medical Attendant to the Embassy. Commu- 
nicated by Sir W. J. Hooxxn, F.R.S. & L.S. 
[Read Dec. 4, 1862.] 
H.M.S. Gorgon, Port Louis, Mauritius, 
Sept. 10, 1862. 
My DEAR Sir WILLIAM, —I apprised you, in a letter written 
from the Naval Hospital at the Cape in June last, of the cireum- 
stances that had brought me there, and of those that made me 
very desirous to leave it and return to the Zambesi by the ‘ Gor- 
gon’; to wit, the prospect of being attached to the Embassy de- 
puted to carry addresses and presents from our Government to 
King Radama. Capt. Wilson of the ‘ Gorgon,’ as a Commissioner, 
offered to attach me to his party as medical attendant, so that in 
such capacity I might have opportunity of collecting; and Dr. 
Shea, of the Naval Hospital, believing that a good sea voyage 
would do more for the relief of the enlarged spleen and remains 
of fever than a protracted residence in hospital, advised that 1 
should request a passage from Admiral Walker, with this double 
purpose in view. A passage was readily granted. On arriving 
at Mauritius we found that Sir William Stevenson had organized 
an embassy, of which Major-General Johnstone was to be head, 
and Capt. Anson, R.A. (Inspector-General of Police), and Capt. 
Wilson of the ‘ Gorgon’ Joint Commissioners, Lieut. Oliver, R.A., 
Aide-de-camp to the General, and myself as Medical Attendant. 
The Bishop of Mauritius subsequently joined the party, having a 
special errand to accomplish. The Queen’s presents had been 
previously despatched under charge of an officer in the Colonial 
Department. Arriving at Tamatave on the 13th of July, we 
resided for a week in some houses set apart for the Embassy, 
whilst preparations were made for conveying the stores, &e. 
During this time official visits had to be made to the Governor and 
other officers ; and I availed myself of invitations to their country 
houses, for the purpose of collecting specimens, and for information. 
The utmost cordiality was shown on every occasion to the Embassy 
or individuals of it, and every facility offered for acquiring in- 
formation. 
Marmites being obtained, and everything in readiness for the 
journey, we left Tamatave on the 22nd of July. The distance 
between Tamatave and Antananarivo was calculated, by the Mis- 
sion which went from Mauritius to congratulate the King on his 
LINN, PROC,—BOTANTY, VOL, VII. F 
