456 Information respecting Botanical Travellers. 



put me in possession ; and their receipt having set my mind at ease 

 respecting the welfare of my friends, and the safety of those collec- 

 tions which I had sent home, I sit down to write a few lines. Since 

 I returned hither, I have collected about a hundred species of plants 

 almost entirely different from anything I had found before. Among 

 them are some very noble Grasses. I have secured seeds of the fine 

 new Melocactus which I mentioned in my last letter ; so that if the 

 living plants should fail, I still hope it may be reared. There are 

 also two pods of a large leguminous tree from the banks of San 

 Francisco among the articles which are immediately to be despatched 

 for England ; several specimens, in a living state, of an Orchideous 

 plant that I believe to be Monachanthus Jimbriatus, growing in a 

 box, together with a large-flowered Epidendrum. 



** The rains here continue very heavy, it is impossible to stir abroad 

 without being drenched. I have been waiting some time for a ves- 

 sel to convey me to Avacati, which is to sail in a few days ; thence 

 I intend to go to a place called Teo, about 200 miles inland, where 

 I shall remain some time, and if all be well, go across the mountains 

 into the province of Piauhy. I find that it is requisite to purchase 

 four horses at least, which, with their trappings, cost about 50/. A 

 very good black servant; who has already been in my employ for 



five months, will accompany me. 



Pernambuco, July 18th. 



" After many delays, in consequence of being unable to find a 

 vessel bound to Avacati, in the province of Ceara, I have the satis- 

 faction to tell you that my arrangements are finally made to sail in 

 a few hours ; as, however, there has been one incessant pour of rain 

 for the last two months, I could have done nothing in the way of 

 collecting, which partly reconciles me to the delay in starting. 

 From Avacati 1 still intend to make my way as quickly as possible 

 to Teo, 240 miles inland, where, if I find a good field for botany, I 

 may stay for a few months, and shall then probably pass into the 

 province of Piauhy. At all events, I do not think of returning to 

 Pernambuco for eight or ten months, if any more ; but shall not fail 

 to seize every opportunity of letting you know how I get on. A 

 long time may elapse ere I can again have the satisfaction of re- 

 ceiving news from Europe." G. Gainer. 



In Southern Africa, our valued friend, the Honourable W. H. 

 Harvey, is zealously devoting his leisure hours to acquiring a more 

 perfect knowledge of the botany of that extensive and yet but par- 

 tially explored country. He is printing at Cape Town an account 

 of the genera hitherto discovered, and is giving every possible en- 

 couragement 



