Expedition into Central Africa. 351 



" The botanical researches of the expedition will extend to the preservation 

 of specimens of plants not found in the colony, and especially of transport, 

 able roots and the seeds of all such as may be found in a ripened state, noting 

 localities and the varieties of aspect which vegetation puts on in different si- 

 tuations. In regard to other branches of natural history, as it is obvious that 

 after a short experience of research under your diiection, almost every one 

 will be able to recognise and preserve what is rare or novel, no further in- 

 struction needs to be given, except the general expression of the desire of the 

 Committee that all shall endeavour to secure for the Expedition whatever in 

 any department they esteem valuable, it being expressly understood that 

 every article collected by each individual belongs in property to the sub- 

 scribers to the expedition collectively. 



" In regard to the inhabitants themselves, it is a paramount interest to gain 

 an exact portrait of their life, as respects their condition, arts, and policy, 

 their language, their external appearance, population, origin, and relation to 

 other tribes, or in general whatever tends to elucidate their disposition or 

 resources as sharers or agents in commerce, or their preparation to receive 

 Christianity. 



« It will be proper to ascertain their religious traditions or practices if 

 they have any, distinguishing what is indigenous from the glimmering appre- 

 hension of great religious truths which necessarily spreads in advance of the 

 scenes of missionary labour. 



" Examine also the state of their intellect generally, as exemplified in then: 

 social and political arrangements, and common traditions, songs, or amuse- 

 ments, and particularly in regard to their knowledge of nature, and their no- 

 tions of its vast and varied proceedings, as thunder, rain, wind, &c. 



" Inquiries respecting commerce and the prospect of its extension are to 

 be viewed as of no small importance in this undertaking. Every means must 

 be used to ascertain its present nature, channels, and extent, and to determine 

 the existing demand for foreign commodities, and the return which may be 

 expected for them. Proper inquiries may also lead to some satisfactory views 

 of its future condition, as indicated by the wants of the native population, or 

 the objects of most importance to improve their condition, and the correspond, 

 ing resources for exchange which may arise from a more beneficial employ, 

 ment of their industry. 



" Lastly, we may notice the propriety of making inquiries or gathering 

 information with respect to similar enterprises, as whether the natives have 

 traditions of movements of their own, or of the arrival of strangers among 

 them. All that can be gathered respecting Dr Cowan's expedition will be 

 acceptable in the highest degree. The elucidation also of an isolated effort to 

 struggle through the difficulties of African travelling should also be kept in 

 view ; it was made by a missionary of the name of Martin, who has not been 

 heard of since he crossed the Colonial boundary in December 1831. He is 

 consequently supposed to have perished in the Gariep, or to have been de- 

 stroyed on its banks, though, as it was his intention to avoid the establish- 

 ments of Europeans or their lines of communications, there is a lingering 

 possibility of his still surviving. 



A a2 



