198 NARRATIVE. 



always in readiness to attend, and although Captain Findlay (who, 

 from six year's residence, was experienced in the baneful effects of 

 the climate) ventured to expostulate on Mr. Bowdich's frequent 

 exposure of himself, he forwarded every scheme, by exerting his 

 power and authority to the utmost. 



It was the intention to make a minute and detailed trigonome- 

 trical survey, from the mouth of the river to Fort James, taking 

 in the island of Banjole, with drawings to denote the different 

 points particularized in the survey, and to include as much 

 natural history as could be ascertained during the different 

 excursions up and down the river. 



Three weeks more were allotted for our stay, and the operations 

 were commenced; first, by Mr. Bowdich's starting early every 

 morning for the nearer points, and returning in the evening, it 

 being a principal object with him to get back to Bathurst at night, 

 for the sake of his astronomical observations, which he was anxious 

 to multiply there as much as possible'. Having secured the 

 immediate neighbourhood, he departed for Fort James, where he 

 was absent nearly a week, and where he experienced the first ill 

 effects he had ever felt from the sun. He had been obhged to 

 stand three hours on the top of the fort, waiting for the responses 

 to his signals, in the burning heat of noon-day, which caused 

 the mercury to burst the thermometer, without the smallest 

 shelter. On his return, nothing could induce him to rest, and 

 take any decisive remedy for the constant headach which annoyed 

 him. He even deprived himself of the requisite portion of sleep, 

 and one night, fearing he had slept too long, he started in haste 

 from his bed in a state of profuse perspiration, exposed himself, 



■ The observations were written in Mr. Bowdich's memorandum-book, with initials 

 as references for himself; the sketches of the plan were also rudely drawn, but with 

 so little detail, that he alone could have made use of them ; consequently, it has been 

 impossible to profit by his unwearied exertions. 



