OF THE CAMEROONS MOUNTAINS, ETC. 178 
ropean, and which Mr. Mann, from the period of his first arriving 
on the coast of Africa, had resolved to scale at all hazards. 
The great scientific importance of the expedition having been 
represented by Sir W. Hooker to the Duke of Somerset, First 
Lord of the Admiralty (to which department of the Publie 
Service Mr. Mann had then been transferred), thanks to that 
nobleman's enlightened views and to the late lamented Admiral 
Washington's recommendations, the necessary funds were pro- 
vided; and in this as in his other expeditions Mr. Mann's ex- 
ertions have been crowned with far greater success than has 
been the lot of any previous explorer of the West- African coast, 
Dr. Welwitsch alone excepted. It is not my purpose here 
to enter into any detail of the many difficulties and dangers, the 
privations, and all but fatal fevers that Mr. Mann, in common 
with every other explorer of the shores of the Bights of Benin and 
Biafra, has encountered ; by prudence, temperance, and energy 
all have been successfully combated ; and he has returned to this 
country, after upwards of three years' continuous journeyings in 
the most fatal climates in the world, in excellent health, and 
with the finest collections, whether as regards extent, or interest, 
or excellent preservation, that have ever been made in those 
regions. 
Before proceeding to an account of the mountain plants col- 
lected, it is expedient to enumerate the localities and their eleva- 
tions, and to record the dates, &c. of the several expeditions 
during which they were gathered. 
Peak of Fernando, elevation 9469 ft. First ascent attempted 
on the east side, February 21st, 1860; reached 2000 ft. and was 
driren back by the natives. Second ascent, from the north side, 
commenced March 22nd ; reached the summit April 3rd; descended 
April 18th. November 7 th, attempted a third ascent ; but on the 
23rd, being deserted by his servants, descended. December 7th, 
made a fourth attempt, and reached the summit for the second 
time on the 5th ; descended on the 21st. March 19th, 1862, started 
for the fifth time to ascend the Peak, reaching the summit for the 
third time; returned on the 25th March, after measuring the 
depth of the great crater on the summit (515 ft.). April 12th, 
1862, made the sixth ascent; reached the summit on the 16th, 
and descended on the 23rd. March 5th, 1863, made the seventh 
ascent, reached the summit on the 8th, and descended on the 
18th. 
St. Thomas's Island was visited August 5th, 1861. On the 18th 
