38 JOURNAL OF THE 
som and fruit; the latter convinced me that I had seen the 
same, and a species but little differing from it, at Grand 
Bassa. 
Sunday, July 18.—We left Cape Palmas about 2 p.m., and 
were off Cape Coast Castle on the evening of Saturday, the 
24th. On Sunday, Captain Trotter issued a circular, prohibit- ` 
ing any one belonging to the expedition from remaining all — 
night on shore: the unhealthy season here having begun. The 
Gold Coast was of the greatest importance to me, the plants 
described by Schumacher forming a sort of standard for the 
African Flora; but I deemed it best to be careful, and to 
decline all friendly invitations to stay on land; although this 
would have been of infinite advantage in collecting, and in 
fact was almost indispensable. 
The vicinity of the town exhibits no great fertility : granite 
and gneiss, often naked, extending to the coast. A few miles 
inland, a fine black loam prevails, apparently very favourable 
for cultivation ; and further inland still, the soil is said to be 
extremely fertile, consisting probably of vegetable mould. 
On account of the heavy surf, it is impossible to land, other- 
wise than in canoes; and in this and every case where you 
are obliged to depend on negroes, punctuality is out of the 
question ; and much time was always lost. A trip tothe Model 
Farm, five miles inland, now under the superintendence of 
Mr. Wilson, promised to make this place very interesting. 
The major part of this plantation lies on the declivity of a 
hill, consisting of indifferent soil, (decomposed granite) ; whilst — 
before and beyond it, the land is excellent. They call this 
plantation * Napoleon." The dwelling-house is on the top 
of the hill, and commands a very interesting prospect. The 
plantations consist chiefly of Coffee-trees, only a few years 
old: some, 
of only seven months growth, which seems truly wonderful, for 
in the West Indies, Coffee bears no fruit even in the best soils 
under eighteen months, Besides Coffee, Bananas, Plantains, 
Arrow-root, Yams, Limes, Lemons, 
covered with fruit, were, according to Mr. Wilson, - 
i Oranges and Indian corh — 
were much cultivated. In the grounds of the natives, Indian 
