124 Scientific Travellers, 



The Plate represents Poa Balfouri, Parnell, with its va- 

 riety rigida, 



Plate V. 



— 3. Spikelet, ") 



— 4. Ligule with leaf and part of sheath, i- natural size. 



— 5. Stamens, styles, ovary and scales, J 



XXIII. — Information respecting Scientific Travellers, 



MR. FORBES. 



A letter from Mr. Spratt, published in Woolmer's Exeter Gazette, 

 will interest our readers, as giving some particulars relative to our 

 much- esteemed friend Mr. Forbes : — 



" I am happy in being able to announce my arrival at the ship, 

 after an absence of nearly four months, most of which was spent in 

 making a tour through ancient Lycia. Mr. Forbes and self parted 

 from our fellow-traveller, the Rev. Mr. Daniell, at Rhodes, who pro- 

 ceeded on to Athens, by way of Smyrna. We had a tedious passage, 

 in a small country-boat, from Rhodes to Syra, of nine days. Poor 

 Forbes, the naturalist, was taken ill on the way, which I soon per- 

 ceived was the country fever, and he daily got worse until our arrival 

 at Syra, being without medicine or medical advice. His condition 

 was very miserable, and mine, from mental suffering on his account, 

 was nearly as bad. We at length arrived at Syra, in which port I 

 found one of our little tenders, and, through the Consul's exertions, 

 obtained leave from the quarantine department to spend our time in 

 quarantine on board of her. I set sail immediately for our ship, the 

 Beacon, at this place — Paros ; our assistant-surgeon, Mr. Harvey, 

 has joined us to take care of poor Forbes, who is now in an impro- 

 ving condition, but has not taken food for thirteen days. I am myself, 

 thank God, in most excellent health, and am much pleased with our 

 tour. This is certainly the most picturesque country I ever saw, and 

 my companions, — who are better judges, from having travelled over 

 the continent, — say that it is not equalled anywhere in Europe. Its 

 highest mountains are 10,000 feet high — the country fertile in parts, 

 and capable of being made a paradise if sufficiently populous. It 

 may be thus described to you for a general idea of its geographical 

 features. Three large maritime valleys forming its south, east and 

 west districts, the largest of which is Xanthus ; and in its central and 

 northern divisions extensive and fertile plains and valleys, which are 

 from 400 to 500 feet above the sea. These are all delightfully 

 watered with numerous streams and rivulets, and studded with small 

 villages and towns. Its^climate is that of England, though less humid, 

 and its inhabitants Turks, who treat strangers with the greatest ci- 

 vilities and kindness. We have lived in their homes, and travelled 

 under their guidance, and found ourselves at all times kindly and 

 honestly dealt with. During the depth of winter these uplands are 



