VOYAGE TO THE NIGER. 29 
conduits ill contrived, much valuable water is lost. It 
would be better to conduct the water in the exact direction 
of the chief valley, which would shorten its way to the 
coast considerably. The map of Vidal, however excellent, 
is not quite correct as regards this valley. Our short stay 
did not allow me to visit the whole valley. Close to the 
shore were many plants of Asclepias gigantea, whose shining 
coriaceous leaves attracted notice, even from on board ship. 
The plantation consists chiefly of some Sugar-cane, Cotton, 
Papaya, Citrons, Limes, Guavas, Ricinus, Curcas, and Figs. 
Higher up the valley Bananas are chiefly grown, with Cassia 
occidentalis, Cocoa and Capsicum. Amongst the plants on 
the sandy shore, there were frequently Argemone Mezicana, 
Heliotropium, a Sonchus, several Grasses, &c. The other 
indigenous plants correspond mostly with those of St. Vin- 
cent, but grow more luxuriantly. The same Sida was 
common: the usual Euphorbia (prostrata?), Cassia obovata, 
Tribulus terrestris, the leafless Asclepiadea of St. Vincent, 
Borago Africana and Tamarix Senegalensis were also found 
here: in the part of the plantation nearest the shore grows 
an Indigofera (near Ind. Anil) a new species of Phaca, (Phaca 
micrantha); and a Plumbago, which if it be P. scandens, 
mentioned as belonging to St. Jago, must be indigenous on 
these islands. The brook in the main valley was full of 
Bamboo, which looked very pretty, especially where inter- 
twined with Convolvolus near a small cascade. Along the 
stream there I also noticed an Epilobium, Plantago, Cyperus 
and Samolus Valerandi. Orchil is chiefly exported from this 
island. 
Friday, June 18.—Left St. Antonio at noon. Unfavourable 
winds and the rolling of the sea made me sick for several 
days; and I found it not a little disagreeable to be every 
morning soaked with water, dripping into my cabin; when 
the deck was washed overhead. The first days, especially, it 
poured through in absolute streams, and swamped every thing. 
Of course, my plants suffered not a little, and many things 
were so spoiled, that I was absolutely forced to throw them 
