258 EXPEDITION UP THE KWORA. 



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rainy) season of the year. Enough has reached us to show that, if life 

 and health be spared, these zealous voyagers will contribute largely to 

 our knowledge of the natural history of tropical Africa. 

 We proceed with the letters which we have recently 

 first is from Commander Baikie, dated 



The 



Fernando Po 3 June 29, 1857- 



Before leaving this place in the e Dayspring ' for the Niger, I must 

 send you a final resume of our labours hitherto. By this mail you will 

 receive a cask of fruits, etc., preserved in spirits, all from this place, 

 and of which a list is enclosed. There is also a case containing the 

 remainder of our Sierra Leone specimens, and about 160 species from 

 this place, all labelled. There are still here nearly 100 species, which, 

 as they are not dry enough to send, we must take with us up the river. 

 During this season, with the incessant heavy falls of rain which we 

 have, there is often the utmost difficulty in drying plants, and Bent- 

 hall's paper is of little or no use, as it absorbs moisture from the atmo- 

 sphere, and gets soon quite rotten. 



Capt. Babington, who touched here lately, and who desires to be 

 remembered to you, left here the Wardian case of plants from Kew, in 

 charge of the Consul, as he had no proper place for them at the Cama- 

 roons. Mr. Barter transplanted them, and those of which a list is en- 

 closed are all doing well. The Consul being desirous of sending, by 

 the return of this case, some plants to you, Mr. Barter undertook to 



select a few for the purpose, which are now in the case, and a list of 

 which is also sent. 



I also enclose some notes on two species of Amornum, common in 

 this neighbourhood, for Mr. Hanbury's behoof. Mr. Barter is pre- 

 paring some on the vegetation about Clarence, but they are not yet 

 finished, so they must be sent at a future time. 



I had intended writing on several points, but we have to be off in 

 three or four hours. I have been at work since daylight, and still have 

 much to see to and to complete, so I must conclude, more especially as 

 I have had ague for two days, and am only just getting round. 



W. Balfour Baikie. 



Mr. Barter's letter, which we now give, probably (judging from the 

 amount of botanical information) includes the notes on the vegetation 

 about Clarence above alluded to by Dr. Baikie. 



