yii PREFACE. 
it would truly appear from this, and from former voyages of a 
similar character, that the European constitution is incapable 
of withstanding the effect of that deadly atmosphere. 
"But while we deplore the loss of so many brave officers and 
men, engaged, voluntarily, in this most sacred cause, it would 
be unjust to shut our eyes to much good that has hereby been 
accomplished. It has proved to the natives the real intentions 
of the English, and convinced them of our sincerity in esta- 
blishing mutual, and beneficial, and a wholesome commerce, 
and that we have no sinister ends of our own to answer. Of 
this, too, they were the more convinced, when they saw their 
friends, who had been rescued from captivity, returning with 
the Expedition. It further showed, that the only. hope of 
enlightening the sons of Africa is by native agency : and it is 
with no-small pride that the Editor of this Work, in the 
capacity of Director of the Royal Gardens of Kew, is at this 
moment giving in charge a considerable collection of useful 
Tropical plants for introduction into Africa, to two native 
Missionaries (recently ordained by the Bishop of London),— 
than whom he knows not any well educated Europeans more 
competent to estimate the value of such importations, or likely 
to feel more interest in their successful cultivation and use. 
Among those who fell victims to the climate of Niger, was 
Dr. Vogel. Happily for science, he was not among the most 
early to be attacked by fever. He formed his ‘collections with 
uncommon energy, while even a slight portion of health and 
strength remained to him ; and the number of species amassed 
by him, in a short space of time, and under the most disad- 
vantageous circumstances, reflects great credit upon his memory; 
but the condition of the specimens shows, that the climate is as 
unsuited to the preservation of plants, without greater advan- 
tages than a small and crowded steamer can afford, as it is to 
the human censtitution.—Mr. Ansell, though he fortunately 
survived the effects of the climate, was yet too ill, from a very 
early period of the voyage, to make any extensive or well- 
pem collections. "These faets must plead the apology for 
imperfect nature of many of the descriptions.. The work, 
