HISTOEY OF INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC FEENS. 13 



vessel fitted for river navigation, at Fernando Po ; but, 

 unfortunately, after they had penetrated up the river 

 as far as Nupe, their ship was wrecked, and they 

 were obliged to form a camp on the banks. Poor Barter, 

 however, fell a victim to the deadly climate in July, 

 1859. As a collector he was indefatigable in the dis- 

 charge of his duties, and discovered a large number of 

 undescribed plants, including several new genera, 

 one of which has been dedicated to his memory under 

 the name of Barteria. But, owing to the mishaps 

 attending this expedition, and the difficulties of 

 transit, no living plants were received from the 

 interior of the country, but several Ferns were trans- 

 mitted from Sierra Leone and Fernando Po.* 



No sooner had the news of Barter's death arrived, 

 than Mr. Gustav Mann, undeterred by his fate, 

 volunteered to fill the vacancy, and was appointed 

 accordingly. Being unable, from want of means of 

 communication, to join Dr. Baikie, he was employed 

 for three years in exploring the island of Fernando 

 Po and the African coast, in the neighbourhood 

 of the Camaroons and Gaboon rivers. In spite 

 of the difficulties and dangers attending the under- 

 taking, he made several ascents of the lofty Clarence 

 Peak of Fernando Po and of the Camaroons moun- 

 tain on the African mainland. On the former, at 

 an elevation of 5,000 feet, he found a fine new 

 Cyathea, forming groups, with stems rising to a 

 height of 30 feet. We are likewise indebted to him 



* Since the above was written, news has reached this country 

 of the death of Dr. Baikie at Sierra Leone, in January, 1865, whilst 

 on his homeward voyage. 



