22 MR. CHARLES BARTER ON THE 



occurs ; yet about the estuaries of small streams, Avicennia rhizo- 

 pJiora and JPandantis candelahritm occur. The woods evince almost 

 perpetual moisture ; climbing Aroidece, with immense orchids and 

 ferns, occur ; scarcely any of the orchids are interesting. Their 

 flowers are insignificant, comprising such genera as Angracum, 

 Bolhophyllum, Polystachya. Of ferns, the most common are Fla- 

 ty cerium Stemaria (very large), Drymaria coronans, D. vulgaris, 

 D. vlridis, Aspleniwn cremdatmn, A. like lucidum, Mertensia gigan- 

 tea, Lygodium scandens, Gymnogramma Calomelanos, Angiopteris 

 evecta, Acrostichum aureum, Lastrea mollis, L. invisa, Tceniopteris. 

 Lastrea, Asplenium, Adiantum jyiplazium, Oymnopteris, Triclio- 

 manes, are largely represented. An Acrostichumi resembling Steno- 

 chlcena scandens is very abundant, adhering to the trunks of trees 

 like ivy. Lycopodiums are abundant, L. dendroidewn especially, in 

 loamy soil. L. PJilegmaria, epiphytical on trees, hanging down 

 often a yard in length, and very beautiful. 



I obtained a sprinkling of mosses, chiefly of Hypnum, some 

 Hepaticse, and a few curious Eungi. 



This is a meagre account of the botany of this island ; and my 

 collection indicates little ; the heavy rain, however, prevented me 

 doing better. Much of the low land has been cultivated; and many 

 introduced plants are now wild. Canna indica, Caladiiim bicolor, 

 very beautiful in moist places, and a few European weeds exist — Poa 

 annua, and Plantago major. An umbelliferous plant is very abun- 

 dant, and must be indigenous ; I believe it to be an Hryngium. 

 Some very good cabbages are grown both at Prince's Island and Eer- 

 nando Po without going to elevated ground; water-cresses are 

 abundant in some of the brooks, but of course have been intro- 

 duced. 



Our repairs complete, we left Eernando Po on the 2nd of 

 January. The weather in this island for the last three weeks has 

 been almost free from rain, the days hot, with the usual haze of 

 the dry season, called " smokes " by the traders. December to 

 March are the best months for botanizing in this island. Clero- 

 dendron splendens and some fine scarlet Comhretacece are very 

 handsome at this season ; most of the large forest-trees are also 

 just flowering. 



The mountains are seldom visible. Sometimes at dawn the peak 

 of Clarence appears, but is enveloped in clouds soon after the sun 

 rises ; and an occasional glimpse of the stupendous Cameroon, 

 towering far up in the firmament, is also obtained. I never rise 

 at such times wdthout anticipating the pleasure I shall have 



