36o NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



be better for the world if the system were entirely 

 abolished. 



The view of St. Vincent, backed by a bold and 

 stern mountain mass, on which scarcely a trace of 

 vegetation is visible from a distance, was for some 

 time sufficiently interesting ; but as the day wore on, 

 and the sun beat down more fiercely, life on board 

 became less agreeable. To keep out the penetrating 

 coal dust all the ports were closed, and, with the 

 thermometer at 90°, the air below was stifling, and 

 the passengers generally preferred to remain on deck, 

 and breathe the hot air mixed with the coal dust that 

 arose from the open bunkers. 



I offered two of the boatmen who hung about the 

 ship three milreis if they would land on an un- 

 inhabited part of the bay, which I pointed out to 

 them, and collect for me every plant they found 

 growing, and I was well pleased when, after two or 

 three hours, they returned with a respectable bundle 

 of green foliage. Under the vigilant eyes of the- 

 officers of health the specimens were hauled up to 

 the deck, while the three dollars were thrown into the 

 boat. It is remarkable that coin is nowhere supposed 

 to convey contagion. 



When I came to examine it, I found to my disgust 

 that the bouquet included only the leaves of two 

 species, with no trace of flower or fruit. One was 

 most probably Nicotiana glatica, introduced from 

 tropical America ; the other a leguminous shrub, 

 possibly a Cassia, but quite uncertain. 



The rest of the passengers spent most of the day 

 in bargaining with the hucksters who flocked round 



