8 MUSEUMS. 



Plains, where it was hoped a more salubrious camping-ground would 

 l)e found. But the continued sickness of the party— among whom 

 for several days there was not a single undisabled member— made it 

 necessary, after a few days' trial of this camp, to seek a still higher 

 altitude on the Haghier range. The tents were consequently struck 

 on December 30th, and transported to -lena-agahan, where, notwith- 

 standing that fever was still very prevalent and the expedition was 

 practicallv deprived, during the greater part of the time of its stay 

 there (owing to his serious illness), of the services of the taxidermist, 

 many of the most interesting specimens in the collection were 

 secured, the most notable perhaps being the beautiful wild ass, of 

 which large herds roamed the plains below the camp. On January 

 15th the camp was moved a two days' journey to the high plateau 

 of Homhil, which proved to be a most successful collecting station. 

 The health of the expedition rapidly improved, the climate and 

 scenery were invigorating, with an abundant flora and fauna. There 

 were here obtained roots and seeds of the shrubby gentian (E.racum 

 cceruleum), one of the most lovely species both in flower and foliage 

 of a beautiful family, and of a tine broad-leaved amyrillid (Hrrnuai- 

 thu$ gra n J ifoli v s ) , 



On January 27th a move was made from Homhil to Adho Dimel- 

 lus, in the heart of the Haghier Mountains, at about 4,000 feet above 

 sea-level — one of the most salubrious and beautiful spots imaginable. 

 There over a fortnight was spent with great profit to all departments 

 of the collection. Xumerous butterflies were captured, some of 

 great rarity, such as Pupilio benetti, of which only one broken speci- 

 men was previously known, as well as roots and seeds of some of the 

 most remarkable of the plants of the island, whose Alpine flora bears 

 all the marks of great anticpuity. On February liSth the expedition 

 had to make its way back to the plain of Hadibu to await the return 

 of the El phinstone, which on the 21st of the same month anchored 

 off the town, and took on board the members of the expedition and 

 the collections. The same evening the despatch-boat sailed for 

 Abd-el-Kuri, where it was decided to supplement the collections 

 already obtained there by a few days* further exploration. From 

 Abd-el-Kuri the Elphinstone brought the expedition direct to Aden, 



