632 JOURNAL OF THE 



when the Kroomen and negroes were engaged, we left Free 

 Town on Friday, July 2, about noon. Having the " Soudan" 

 in tow, we made but slow progress, and only got to Mon- 

 rovia,* on Monday, July 5, and cast anchor in the bay. 

 The few hours which I devoted to a walk towards the head 

 of Cape Mesurado, taught me, that the vegetation is very 

 similar to that of Sierra Leone. Sarcocephalus esculentus 

 grew abundantly ; and the fruit called pomegranate by Don, 

 occurred sparingly. A Poivrea, with beautiful red flowers, 

 seems new. Cassia occidentalism Borreria Kohautiana, and 

 an herbaceous Phyllanthus grew in abundance. Around the 

 dwellings Coffee Trees had been planted, but left to grow 

 too freely; Limes, Figs, Curcas, Guavas, Ananas, Anona 

 muricata and also Cytisus Cajan and Arrow-root were 

 cultivated; Bananas and Oil Palms occurred of course. 

 The plantations were no doubt more extensive, but during 

 my short stay, I could not see more, I was told, of Cotton 

 and Sugar. Anona muricata is much eaten, both here and 

 at Sierra Leone, under the name of Soursop, and I was 

 assured that it is considered the finest of all, but I could not 

 taste it without disgust; altogether I cannot join in the 

 praise of African fruit. The land was not very rich. On 

 the shore there is the same iron clay as at Sierra Leone, and 

 somewhat higher up to the Cape it also prevails (according 

 to Rosher)) only finer grained and firm. In several places 

 water (rain?) has percolated, and caused it to assume singular 

 shapes, almost models of mountain ridges. 



Monrovia Town has a pleasing appearance, many of the 

 houses are large. Few white people are seen. The coloured 

 population, few of whom I had any intercourse with, appeared 

 inquisitive, obtrusive, and fond of idleness ; no traces of 

 hospitality, but an eagerness to make money, and a desire 

 to affect importance. The connectionf between Liberia and 



* Monrovia is the capital of the American colony of Liberia. — (H. v- 

 Trotter). 



t The settlement of Liberia is under the control of a Society, in the 

 United States ; the Superintendent being appointed by the Society and 



