OF DR. J. R. T. VOGEL. 603 



connected with it, viz. : on Brazilian Viciea, and observations 

 on American Bauhinice. In 1840, he received, for investiga- 

 tion, the Leguminosa collected by the late Prof. Meyen, in 

 his journey through Brazil, Peru and China, and the results 

 of this labour appear in an Essay in the supplement to4he 19th 

 volume of the Acta Acad. Nat. Curios. The 15 th volume of 

 Unnma contains three of his treatises j viz. Remarks on the 

 existence of Amylum in Cryptogamous plants ; Additions and 

 Corrections to the Synopsis of the Genus Cassia, and 

 Remarks on some species of the genera Thymus and Ori- 

 ganum. There is also in Bechner's " Repertorium fur die 

 Pharmacie, 1840," a Review of the species of the genus 

 Origanum and a Description of Thymus coriaceus. Mr. Mar- 

 quardt found this undescribed species of Thymus in many 

 apothecaries' shops and collections of materia medico, amongst 

 stores of Origanum Creticum. 



As Vogel's position in Bonn rendered a perfect know- 

 ledge of the plants in its neighbourhood requisite, pre- 

 parations were commenced for a Flora of Bonn, to which he 

 devoted much time, and for which he undertook many ex- 

 cursions. In August, 1 840, he made acquaintance with a 

 member of the African Civilization Society, which had arisen 

 "i London under the patronage of Prince Albert, with the 

 Vlew of extending civilization amongst the natives of Western 

 Africa, and putting an end to the slave trade, who chanced 

 then to be at Bonn. The British Government fitted out 

 three steamers,* destined to run into the Niger, or Quorra, 

 at lts entrance into the Bight of Benin, on the western coast 

 °f Central Africa, to penetrate by this vast navigable river, 

 mto the interior of this little-known country, to make treaties 

 *Kh the inhabitants, and to establish an emporium at some 

 citable place. A Botanist was needed, to ascertain the ve- 

 getable productions of the country and the capabilities of the 

 8o, 1, and Dr. Vogel was found willing to hold this office, 

 hoping by these means to satisfy his eager desire to explore 

 a «ch and almost unknown vegetation. He undertook, there- 

 • The Albert, the Wilberforce, and Soudan. 



