PREFACE. 
Tue majority of the Plants described in the following pages 
were entrusted to the Editor, for the purpose of publication, 
by the African Civilization Society, which, as is well known, 
was formed in London in 1839, through the instrumentality 
of the late Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. That enlightened and 
philanthropic statesman, deeply impressed by the aggravated 
horrors of the Slave Trade, was extremely anxious to try, what 
appeared to him to be the only remedy, to put down that 
iniquitous traffic by the encouragement of lawful trade and the 
advancement of Africa itself to a condition in which she would 
no longer find it her interest to furnish the slavers with supplies 
for their market. 
Many persons of influence and sound judgment, uniting 
with Sir Fowell in his views, and Government having taken 
up the subject cordially, the “ Nicer ExrEprTION" was dis- 
patched, under the command of Capt. H. D. Trotter, in 1841. 
Dr. Theodore Vogel, a German gentleman of high scientific 
attainments, was selected as chief Botanist to the Expedition, 
and with him was associated Mr. Ansell, strongly recommended 
by the Horticultural Society of London. 
Very great and unusual pains were taken to render the 
service less dangerous to the health of those engaged in it, 
than had been the ease with former attempts to explore intra- 
tropical Afriea. Indeed, every precaution that could be thought 
of—every guard against the climate—were, as was believed, 
employed ;—yet, it cannot be denied, there was a failure, and 
