xxxvi INTRODUCTION. 



it, at any time hereafter, be thought expedient to navigate the Zaire by 

 steam boats 



It is almost unnecessary to observe to you, how important it will be to keep a 

 journal of your pi-oceedings. In this journal all your observations and occur- 

 rences of every kind, with all their circumstances, however minute, and however 

 familiar they may have been rendered by custom, should be carefully noted 

 down ; and although the gentlemen employed in the several departments of 

 science, will each be instructed to keep their respective journals, it will not, 

 on that account, be the less desirable that you should be as circumstantial as 

 possible in describing, in your own, the general appearance of the country, its 

 surface, soil, animals, vegetables, and nunerals ; every thing that relates to the 

 population ; the peculiar manners, customs, language, government, and do- 

 mestic economy of the various tribes of people through which you will probably 

 have to pass. 



The following, however, will be among the most important subjects on which 

 it will be more immediately your provmce, assisted by your oflicers, to endeavour 

 to obtain information. 



The general nature of the climate as to heat, cold, moisture, winds, rains, and 

 periodical seasons. The temperature regularly registered from Fahrenheit's 

 thermometer, as observed at two or three periods of the day. 



The direction of the mountains, their names, general appearance as to shape, 

 whether detached or continuous in ranges. 



The main branches of rivers, their names, direction, velocity, breadth, and 

 depth. 



The animals, whether birds, beasts, or fishes, insects, reptiles, &c. distin- 

 guishing those animals that are wild, from those that are domesticated. 



The vegetables, and particularly those that are applicable to any useful 

 purposes, whether in medicine, dyeing, carpentry, &c. scented or orna- 

 mented woods adapted for cabinet work, and household furniture ; and more 

 particularly such woods as may appear to be useful in ship building ; hard 

 woods fit for treenails, block sheaves, &c. of all which it would be desirable to 

 procure small specimens labelled and numbered, so that an easy reference may 

 be made to their mention in the journal ; to ascertain the quantities in which 

 they are found, the facility, or otherwise, of floating them down to a convenient 

 place for shipment, &c. 



Minerals, any of the precious metals or stones ; how used, and how valued, 

 b}' the natives. 



The description and characteristic difference of the several tribes of people. 



