FEOM THE GULF OF GUINEA. 3 



So far as relates to the Biological collections, the equipment provided consisted of a 

 supply of botanical paper with botanical press for the preservation of such larger plant 

 specimens as might ])c procured on any short expeditions that might be possible on shore. 

 Such chances were found only at rare intervals : thus gatlierings were made on the 

 outward voyage at Madeira, in the vicinity of Fuuchal (Dec. 10), at Teneriffe, in and 

 around Santa Cruz (Dec. 12 and March 28, 1886), at Sierra Leone (Dec. 21), at Conakoy, 

 Isles de Los (March 17, 1886), at Dakar (Dee. 26-29), at Accra, North Coast of Gulf of 

 Guinea (Jan. 16), at Sao Thome, Gulf of Guinea (Jan. 25 and 31 and Feb. 1, 1886), at 

 Principe Island, Gulf of Guinea (Jan. 27), and at St. Paul de Loanda, E. coast of Gulf of 

 Guinea (Feb. 10-17). On Dec. 13 some algse and shells were procured at Las Palmas, 

 Gran Canaria, a landing for a few hours only being possible. During the brief calls at 

 Bullama and Bassao on Dec. 21, the time Avas entirely occupied in the collecting of 

 marine specimens either floating on the very muddy waters of these parts or occurring 

 on the beach ; the visits paid to Libreville, Gaboon Biver, on January 28, and to 

 Bananah Creek, Congo Iliver, on February 7, were so brief that no landing could be 

 effected. So far as relates to Phanerogams, the best gatherings were made in and about 

 Santa Cruz and at Sao Thome ; a considerable number of Thalamiflorse were found at both ; 

 Papaveracege and Coniferte especially at Santa Cruz ; Malvaceae especially at Sao Thome. 

 At the latter Legiuninous, Kosaceous, Crassulaceous, Myrtaceous, Onagraceous, Samy- 

 daceous, and Cucurbitaceons CalycifiorfE were well represented ; at the former were 

 gathered some Ficoidefi) and Uml)ellifera- not obtained at the latter. At St. Paul de 

 Loanda, Leguminous and Myrtaceous Calyciflorse only were found, e. g. especially 

 Indigofera, Uialium, Ccesalpiaia, Civtalaria, Tamarindus, and Psidium. Of Fpigynous 

 Monopetaloid Compositte more were obtained at Santa Cruz than at Sao Thome ; but, on 

 the other hand, more hypogynous specimens at the latter than at the former, the 

 Jasminacese, Apocynaccne, and Convolvulacete predominating. Again, Apetake, Nycta- 

 ginacese, Amarantaceai, Urticacea?, Euphorbiacese, and Monocotyledones — especially 

 Connacese, Cyperacea^, and Gramineae — were found most abundantly at Sao Thome. 

 Most Filices were obtained from Principe Island, including particularly species of 

 Nephrolepis, Nephrodium, Polypodlum, and many young forms. At Dakar and at 

 St. Paul de Loanda the coast-flora was poor, owing to the vast stretches of sand ; at the 

 former were observed species of Argemonc, Ihena, Vigua, Cassia, AlMzzla, Seshunia^ 

 Jussicea, Selioti-opium, Clerodendron, Hgptis, Scirpus, CIdorls, Pennisetum, Peiiicllkwia, 

 Andropogou, Ccnchrus, not obtained at the latter, which, on the other hand, yielded 

 species of Sesuvmm, Slda, Trlbuhis, Ilonetia, Indigofera, Psidium, Pluchea, Dichoma, 

 Ipomcea, Boerhaavia, Bougainvlllea, Centema, Pupalia, Phyllanthus, Euphorhiu, 

 Panicum, Sporoholiis, Enigrostis, Aristida, &c., not found at Dakar. 



Much difficidty was experienced in protecting specimens against the hot moist 

 atmosphere of the tropics, and recourse was ultimately had to having them deposited near 

 the furnaces of the steamer. This at length proved effective, but was accompained by the 

 accumulation of much dust, which might, however, have been largely avoided by wrajjpin'-- 

 in fine muslin, had that been available. 



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