VOYAGE TO THE NIGER. 643 



in many places, and often to the depth of several feet, with 

 vegetable mould, overgrown, where not cultivated, with 

 Brushwood. The site of the house was at an elevation of 

 about 1000 feet and 100 above it grew a high Oil Palm. 

 The Brushwood consisted chiefly of liubiacea, interwoven 

 with Convolvulus; few in flower and none remarkable. In 

 the plantation were the usual edible plants of this country ; 

 the settlement consists of a coffee ground, of no great 

 extent. Governor Dall told us that about three years back, 

 the trees had been destroyed by an insect, and they were 

 now very small 3 to 4 feet high, but thriving and bearing 

 abundantly. The soil is excellent and rich, but the esta- 

 blishment looked neglected, which must be ascribed to the 

 absence of the superintendent. Close by is another coffee 

 ground belonging to Mr. Richter, but none of our compa- 

 nions speaking English, I only heard of it after our return. 

 Near these grounds is an avenue of Soursops (Anona muri- 

 cata) and Oranges, and close by several trees just now bearing 

 ripe fruit, clearly the Akee, or Blighia sapida. They seem 

 to have been planted ; but on looking into Schumacher's 

 description of Guinea plants, I found a Cupania edulis, men- 

 tioned as an indigenous tree, which I dare say, is identical 

 with the above. 



As we had only leave of absence until sunset of this day, 

 we were obliged to content ourselves with the slight survey 

 of a few hours, and after enduring an hour's heavy rain, we 

 started at eleven o'clock and came back by the same road, 

 though being down hill, we got on faster, and having returned 

 sincere thanks to Governor Dall and Mr. Richter for their 

 obliging and liberal assistance, we arrived in good time at 

 British Accra, where we found that the hour of departure 

 had not yet been fixed. 



As soon as I got on board the Wilberforce, my first care 

 was to shift my entire collection, especially the plants 

 gathered since we arrived at Cape Coast Castle, but though 

 I had taken all possible care, much was spoilt and almost 

 everything in a bad state. It has been my lot with almost 



