1846. J THE IfATIONAL INSTITUTE. 537 



articles at present in the Portiiguese possessions on this coast, is at Sofala. Tiie 

 chief commodities given in exchitnga for ivory and gold dust are large brass rings, 

 and coarse colored calicoes, blue and red colors being preferred. The rings are 

 made of round bar brass of an inoh dijmpter, and the ring thus made being six or 

 eight inches diameter. They are not welded, and worn around the neck. Smaller 

 ones are worn on the ankles and wrists. Formerly there was, on an average, ten 

 thousand slaves ex|)orted from this place annually, and the slave trade is still 

 probably carried on to a small extent, but all commerce appears declining, and at 

 present not more than two hundred Europeans remain. During the spring 

 months of tho northern hemisphere, this place is said to be very unhealthy, and i^ 

 probably caused by a large extent of ground which is left uncovered by water when 

 the tide ebbs, and from which a very disagreeable smell emanates. 



November, 1844. — The immediate vicinity of Berabetooka bay presents compara- 

 tively little to the botanist for a tropic.il country, and although the ground is 

 parched in the same manner as the neigiiborhood of St. Augustin bay, yet it has 

 a very different aspect; for here near the village may be seen the mango, cocoa-nut, 

 banana, and orange tree, although, fro n appearance, the two latter have been but 

 lately introduced. The opposite side of the bay has apparently a much bettor 

 soil, and denser vegetation, but is inhabited by tlie Sackalavas, who are at prestjnt 

 hostile with the Hoovas, so that in consequence of this circumstance and the dis- 

 tance, I found it impracticable to visit it. I regretted this the more, as the silk 

 worm is reared there, and issuid to be vary different from tho European, varieties, 

 being much larger and covered with hair, and are said to be fed on a kmd of pea. 

 I saw none of the silk fabric produced from this worm, and consequently am unable 

 to compare it with the kind produced in the United States; but I think the subject 

 merits attention, as there can be no doubt but that in a few years silk will form 

 one of our staple productions, for even in Pennsylvania, at present, nothing repays 

 the careful cultivator so well in proportion to the extent of ground tilled as this 

 branch of industry, and much more so will it be in the southern States when pro- 

 perly understood, where the climate is much more congenial. 



Tho Datura stramonium is seen growing in the streets of Bembetooka, and no 

 doubt has been introduced by the Arabs, who have had considerable trade with this 

 port. 



The Euphorbia splendida is cultivated in the village for hedges, and although a 

 large shrub, it is not well adapted for this purpose, having no thorns or asperities. 

 The buds on this shrub were just beginning to burst, in consequence of a shght 

 shower of rain which had fallen, and denoted the commencement of the ramy 

 Bcason . 



A tree found abundantly on the small stony hills in the vicinity of the town, re- 

 sembling an ash in habit, but belonging to the Leguininosa, yields a gum in pro- 

 perties identical with gum sulo. 1 obtained seed of this tree in a good state, and 

 I think it may bear the climate of our soutliern country. 



In the small groves which ari^ situated at the base of some of the small hills, will 

 frequently be found the tangena, (Tanghinia veneinflua,) a pentandrous shrub, 

 having a white flower. The corolla is tubular, five cleft, with the divisions some, 

 what reflexed, the leaves are lance ob-ovate, accuminaie and slightly revolute on 

 the margin. Petiole short, fruit adrupe. 



The fruit of this plant appears to be a violent emetic, and is frequently used by 

 tho officers of justice in this kingdom, as an ordeal to ascertain the guilt or inno- 

 cence of suspected criininals, where the evidence is not clear. The criminal 

 is made to swallow three pieces of skin of a black towl, when a copious decoction 

 of the fruit of this plant is given, which produces violent cinesis, and if the three 

 pieces of skin are ejected, the prisoner is declared innocent ; but should any remain, 

 he suffers the penalty of the crime of wiiich he is accused, and wiiicli frequently, 

 tor the most trivial offence, is death. It is very probable tliis plant would possesa 

 medical properties if it wore properly investigated. 



1 obtained here two varieties of indigo seed, the colorin:; matter of which the 

 natives use in dyeing their cloth, and a piece which has been the labor of three 

 weeks they eagerly sell for one dollar. 



The Hynienora verrucosa grows only in the interior, and produces gum copal, 

 of which thoroare two kiiidii brought tu luarkut at thiu port, one kind, called "Jack. 



