468 APPENDIX. No. V. 



and the communications of Mr. Lockhart, may be here introduced; the 

 cultivated as well as the indigenous species being very similar along the whole 

 of the west coast. 



On the banks of the Congo, as far as the expedition proceeded, the principal 

 articles of vegetable food were found to be Indian Corn or Maize (Zra 

 Mays) Cassava, both sweet and bitter, {latropJia ManiJiot L.) ; two kinds of 

 Pulse, extensively cultivated, one of which is Cytisus Cajan of Linneus, the 

 other not determined, but beheved to be a species of Phaseolus ; and Ground 

 Nuts (Arachis hypogcsa L.) 



The most valuable fruits seen were Plantains (Musa sapientum;) the 

 Papaw {Carica papaya) Pumpkins (Cuciirbitu Pepo ;) Limes and Oranges 

 (Citrus med'ica et aurantium ;) Pine Apples {Bromelia Ananas ,-) the common 

 Tamarind {Tamarindus indica ;) and Safu, a fruit the size of a small plum, 

 which was not seen ripe. 



One of the most important plants not only of Congo, but of the whole 

 extent of coast, is Elms guineensis or the Oil Palm, from wliich also the best 

 kind of Palm Wine is procured. AVine is likewise obtained from two other 

 species of Palms, which are probably Raphia vm'ifera, and the supposed 

 Corypha, considered as an Hyphsene by Professor Smith. 



Among the other Alimentary Plants which are either of less importance or 

 imperfectly known, may be mentioned the " Shrubby Holcus,^ noticed by 

 Captain Tuckey (p. 138) ; tlie common Yam, which Mr. Lockhart informs me 

 he saw only near Cooloo ; and another species of Dioscorea found wild only, 

 and very inferior to the Yam, requiring, according to the narrative, " four days 

 lx)iling to free it from its pernicious qualities." On the same authority, 

 " Sugar Canes of two kinds " were seen at Embomma, and Cabbages at Banza 

 Noki : a kind of Capsicum or Bird Pepper, and Tobacco, were both observed 

 to be generally cultivated: and I find in the herbarium, a specimen of the 

 Malaguetta Pepper, or one of the species of Araomum, confounded under the 

 name of A. Granum Paradisi. 



Mr. Lockhart believes there was also a second kind of Ground Nut or Pea, 

 which may be that mentioned by Merolla, under the name of Incumba,* and 

 the second sort perhaps noticed in Proyart's account of Loango,-(- which is 



* Piccardo Rclaz. del f'iag. net Reg. di Congo, p. 119. + P. 18. 



