174 DR. J. D. HOOKER ON THE PLANTS 
commenced the ascent of the Peak, whose summit (alt. 7500 ft., 
according to the Admiralty charts) was reached on the 22nd; 
left on the 26th. The loftiest part of the island consists of a very 
narrow ridge, and is accessible with great difficulty from the east 
side, ftom which side Mr. Mann attempted it. A species of Podo- 
carpus was the most remarkable discovery. Robert Brown having 
long ago remarked the absence of Conifere in West tropical 
Africa, this discovery was of especial interest. The species is very 
néarly allied both to a Cape and to an Abyssinian one. Here 
ilio the magnificent Musa Sapientum var. vittata was discovered 
in a cultivated state, and living specimens sent to Kew (see 
Bot. Mag. t. 1510-1513). It is, according to Mr. Mann, a native 
of the Gaboon. 
Prince’s Island was visited on September 22nd, and left on Oc- 
tober 26th. 
Cameroons Mountains.—This noble group attains 13,100 ft. of 
elevation, and consists of many peaks, all of volcanic origin, 
crowning an irregular short littoral range. Some of the physical 
characters of the group have been described in a memorandum 
transmitted to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by Consul 
Burton, who accompanied Mr. Mann on his second visit to this 
group. The account there given of this adventurous expedition 
seeming to imply that it was one planned and conducted by 
Consul Burton, to which Mr. Mann had attached himself, I have 
been desired by Mr. Mann to publish the accompanying statement 
of the facts of the case as communicated by himself :— 
“January 7th, 1861.—Having been instructed to use every 
exertion to explore the Cameroons Mountains, I arrived at Ambas 
Bay * (the foot of the range), on a reconnoitring expedition, 
noping to ascend if possible, but chiefly with the view of making 
arrangements for ascending at an earlier period during the follow- 
ing season. February 10th, ascended the mountains to the highest 
villages, Makunda and Bando ; elevation about 2500 ft.; but 
being under orders to repair to the Bagroo River, to report on its 
timbers for the Admiralty, before the wet season set in, I was 
obliged to descend, having arranged to revisit the mountain in the 
ensuing season. 
“ December 13th, 1861, I left Victoria, the Baptist Missionary 
station, in Ambas Bay, and reached Bassumba, alt. 1119 ft. 
On the 15th arrived at Mapanya, alt. 2748 ft.; on the 17th 
* “This was nine months before Consul Burton arrived on the coast of 
Africa." 
