aes 
1843.] 
THE GARDENERS 
CHRONICLE. 
Their arms consist of bows and arrows, guns, a few bay- 
Onets, spears, daggers, &c. The clothing worn by the 
lower class is nothing more than a cloth round the waist ; 
but the chiefs and head men are distinguished by wearing 
arobe or dress of blue linen of native manufacture, brought 
from Egga and other towns situated higher up the Niger. 
The scene is enlivened by numerous birds, and by myriads 
of insects of the most gaudy colours, diversified at times 
by the chatter of monkeys, as they merrily leap from tree 
to tree. During the night, the croaking of reptiles 
and chirruping of insects, with the fire-fly occasionally 
darting across the path, serve to divert the mind of even 
the casual observer, and much more so that of a lover of 
Nature. As we approached towards Eboe, we found cul- 
tivation to be carried to a greater extent, and more espe- 
cially that of Yams. At this part of the river, the Silk 
Cotton-tree forms a prominent feature in the vegetation. 
After passing Eboe, the hitherto narrow river expanded 
into abroad and noble stream, the banks being still beau- 
tifully wooded down to the water’s edge. In several 
Places the destruction of villages and the standing trunks 
of charred trees presented a melancholy example of the 
Yavages of man. After getting about midway between 
Eboe and Attah, we came to a small range of hills, 
covered with healthy crops of Rice, Dourrha, &c. The 
vegetation began at this part to be more scanty, and 
alms were, comparatively speaking, rare to what they 
had previously been. We also found more traffic upon the 
Tiver, many of the natives coming from the interior to the 
Kirree market. At this part of our journey, one or two 
of the blacks, who had been up the river with the Liverpool 
expedition, would frequently point tothe banks, and inform 
us that a white man was buried there; but at this time the 
people of our expedition were in excellenthealth and spirits. 
After passing this range of low hills, we approached towards 
Attah, and in the distance before us we beheld the majestic 
ong mountains, running from east to west, their sum- 
mits towering to the clouds. The banks here began to be 
ornamented with the gigantic Baobab, or Adansonia digi- 
tata, used by the inhabitants on the banks of the Senegal 
(but I could not determine whether it was by the people 
up the Niger) in cases of fever, &c. ; I should say not by 
those who live below the confluence of the Chadda and 
Niger ; for the only answer that I could get in return to 
numerous inquiries respecting its properties was—No good 
sand a shake of the head from the informant. The 
beautiful Spathédea campanulata here grew luxuriantly ; 
its fine habit and large terminal clusters of scarlet flowers 
make ita very desirable object for our large hothouses and 
Conservatories. I believe it is in the possession of a few 
individuals in this country, having been raised from seeds 
brought home by Mr. Freeman, who gathered them when 
he was upon a mission to Coomassie, on the Gold Coast. 
Many of the villages were, at the time of our visit, under 
Water, the people crossing from one hut to the other by | 
Means of canoes. This was more especially the case upon 
Lander’s Island, lying opposite to Attah, the vegetation 
of which consisted of rank grass and a few small trees and 
shrubs. Water-fowl are there abundant ; and I should | 
suppose it is a place of resort for alligators, as they were 
seen floating past upon pieces of grass, apparently detached 
from the sides of the island by the strength of the cur- 
rent. The town of Attah lies on the right bank of the 
Niger, at a considerable elevation above the level of the 
Stream, The huts are very compact and neat, presenting 
4 pretty appearance from the river. Tobacco, of a goo 
Quality, is cultivated at this town to a great extent, On 
the Opposite side of the river is situated the kingdom of 
Warpur, a fine wooded country, interspersed with culti- 
vated grounds, Ferns and Orchidacee were now no 
longer to be met with at this part of the river, and Palms 
Were rare. As we proceeded onward, the country became 
More mountainous, and the scenery truly picturesque ; 
the Niger gracefully winding its course among the hills, 
and the rich vegetation of its islands and fertile valleys, 
us the stupendous hills of Kong on the right and left, 
heir peaks imbedded in clouds, created a sensation of 
Pleasure too sublime to be described. Farther on, the 
©getation on the sides of the mountains became limited 
0 a few Straggling shrubs, interspersed with the Adan- 
Sonia an 
met 
bitin 
Speci 
esa) feet, and producing abundance of large yellow fruit. 
Sting intended returning to this spot after the vessels left 
fever 
Peasy The Habzélia 
: fine species of Clerodendron, several 
ngaeeee Leguminous plants, and a Combretum, orna- 
the water’s edge, as well as a great quantity of 
marsh plants, which had been forced 
the river and were floating down with 
dint As we approached towards the late town of 
until iaki, the Niger gradually began to increase in width, 
a at the junction of the Chadda it was not less than 
(Gee across. On the right side it was thickly wooded 
on ies the water’s edge, which is far from being the case 
wai 
ine Sue poor sandy description, covered with a 
ephroésia ; 
Seems to be the only - 
At the foot of the hills and by the margin of the 
the tie which descend from the higher parts into 
Wy ia the vegetation partook of a richer character. 
a 
from the sides of 
© current. 
Pun 
The country Peach, Sarcocé- 
Rotice off ene was abundant, but it was not taken an 
Which wa y the natives ; a yellow Plum was also plentiful, 
S'sought after by the people as.an article of food. 
The ruins of Pandiaki are still standing; it appeared to 
have been flanked by a deep ditch, which at the time of 
our visit was nearly filled up. The vestiges ofa rude 
bridge and gateway were, however, still remaining. The 
door or gate was thickly studded with large headed nails, 
greatly bling English The remains of 
the dye-works were also to be seen; this process appears 
to have been formerly carried on to a great extent at this 
town, before its inhabitants were obliged to leave it and 
seek protection from the predatory incursions of the 
Fellatas on the opposite side of the river. Towards Stir- 
ling Hill the soil improved a little, and cultivation was 
more extensively carried on. The greater part of King 
William’s Mountains belong to that state. At a short 
distance below Stirling Hill, we came to a small village 
where the process of dyeing was still performed. The 
colouring matter which the people used was obtained from 
a species of Tephrosia. At this part, snakes of a yellowish 
colour and about four feet in length were numerous, as 
were also several kinds of lizards ; and the hills formed 
by the termites, or white ants, were plentiful. I obtained 
some very good skeletons of birds and animals by break- 
ing away the earth until I arrived at one of the chambers 
of these hills, where I deposited the specimen, the skeleton 
of which I wished to obtain, and in a short time I found 
that all the flesh had been eaten off. Birds were numerous; 
the parrots flew about in large flocks, screaming and mak- 
ing the most discordant noises; the Guinea fowl was 
plentiful, and was very destructive to the crops of Ground 
Nuts, Dhourra, &c. Scorpions and centipedes also 
abounded. The river at this part was more lively, owing 
to the number of canoes which traded to the Rizzee 
Market, Damuggoo, Eboe, and other towns, situated 
below the confluence; their cargoes consisting princi- 
pally of ivory, beeswax, tobes, and blue cloths, and in 
some instances of slaves. Some of the canoes were laden 
with small but well-formed horses, which they were 
probably taking downward for sale. Parties of these 
traders would frequently approach the Amelia during 
the depth of night, and question us as to what we in- 
tended purchasing; but they always made us aware of 
their proximity by calling aloud as soon as they came 
within hail. Atasmall town on the right bank of the 
river, opposite to Pundiaki, the natives were in possession 
of some small pieces of cannon, which they frequently 
used to fire at intervals during the night.—J. 4. 
Calcutta, Jan. 27, 1843.—The Botanic Garden here is 
undergoing a great change under the superintendence of 
Mr. Griffith. The catalogue of the plants it contains is, I 
hear, finished; a nursery is laid out; a flower-garden is 
planned, and ground is trenching for the purpose of ex- 
hibiting the features of the systems of Linneus, Jussieu, 
and others. As the grounds are very extensive, there is 
ample space for Mr. Griffith’s plans, which, it is said, 
embrace the formation of medicinal and economical de- 
partments, neither of which at present exist. The whole 
number of species contained in the garden is about 3,800 
which is not an advance of more than 400 since the pub- 
lication of Roxburgh’s Hortus Benghalensis. The head 
ardener is deranged, and a successor from urope is 
talked of: if a thoroughly good man, he will be invaluable. 
Frankfort, 13th April.—In my way to this place I paid 
a visit to the garden of Prince Salm, at Dyck, near Neuss, 
on the opposite side of the Rhine to Dusseldorf. There 
is certainly a very rich and curious collection of succulent 
plants there. They seem to be exceedingly well kept, and 
to flourish under the system of his gardener, which is, not 
to give much light, air, or stimulus of any sort till the 
summer, when they are all put out for five months. Isaw 
the very curious Opuntia Salmiana in fruit. In the pleasure 
ground I observed growing in the turf, the first German 
Oslips, Primula elatior vera, that I have seen on the west 
of the Rhine: this is’ also the most northern locality I 
know for that species. I arrived here too late for the 
flower-show ; but I find the Azaleas, which are usually the 
best show-plants, suffered so from the drought of last 
summer, that they do not flower well this year. Three 
hybrid Rhododend , Bureg » (purple,) Kro- 
nenbergianum (white), and macranthum (pink), are fine 
plants. The Carmine red Azalea indica is also very 
handsome.—S. 
PROCEE F SOCIETIES, 
GS 
BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH 
Turis Society met on the 9th instant, Dr. Neill in the chair, 
Dr. Seller was elected a resident Member. Numerous donations 
to the Library and Herbarium were laid on the table. The fol. 
jowing papers were read: 1. Remarks on ode of Growth 
of the British Fruticose Rubi, &c. By Mr.E. Lees. 2. Continu- 
ation of Remarks on the Diatomaceze. 
Thomas Taylor, M.D.; com- 
municated by i Glasgow. 5. Notice of the 
new Fossil plant, Lyginodendron Landsburgii, Gourlie; b: 
‘W. Gourlie, jun. Mr, James Macnab exhibited a magnificent clns- 
ter of the male catkins of a 7m one of the South Sea 
Islands, which Lady Hervey had obtained from the captain of a 
essel, and kindly allowed to be shown to the Society. Its 
expanded, were about three feet by 
v 
mensions, when Nv 
Cee cifdetscitidsva: “Half endeat ‘omewNatinéedintied se, 
e 
Eeamnental’ grate screen formed of shavings. This being 
the anniversary of the Society’s public institution, the 
mi and others present adjourned, at the close of busi- 
ness, to the Café Royal, where they sat down to an elegant 
William Jardine, Dr. Greville, Mr. Ball, of Dublin, Mr. Gourlie, 
of Glasgow, &c.—Professor Graham, croupier. After supper, 
the usual loyal and appropriate toasts were drunk, and the 
proceedings were farther enlivened by occasional songs. * 
The Botanical Society met on the 13th inst.,—Prof. Graham in 
the chair. Numerous donations to the Library and Herbarium 
were laid on the table. The attention of the Society was chiefly 
directed to a donation by W. Brown, Esq., R.N., consisting of a 
miscellaneous collection of plants and fruits from Canton River 
and Chusan, from , e and Prince’s Island, including a 
collection of forty species of Erica, from Simon’s Bay and Table 
Mountain. The following papers were read:—1. Two Botanical 
visits to the Reeky Linn, and Den of Airly, in April and June, 
1842; by Mr. W. Gardiner, Dundee. 9, jatomaceze, 
No. VI. By Mr Ralfs, > 2. On the Diatomacez, 
gusts ae ds Soren 
COUNTRY SHOwWs, 
Dorking Horticultural Society, Aprit 18.—Thi cs 
heldat the Red Lion Inn, and was attended ee 
in the vicinity. Since the first establishment of thi: i 
there has not been a more attractive display of beautiful flowers 
than the present meeting afforded; but as it 
much space to particularise every plant w 
notice, we shall merely observe that the collections of Greenhouse 
and of Miscellaneous plants, which obtained the first prizes, were 
t. ,and Fuchsia cordifolia, from the nurse: N 
Westland, exhibited in perfection the merits of those vilified 
specie: ut the most beautiful object in the room w; nt 
Best Collection of 12 Plants, 1, 
J. B. Hankey, Esq.; 2, Mr. Heritage, gr.to 
3, Mr. Whiting, gr. to H. T. Hope, 
Best Collection of 6 Greenhouse Plants, 1, Mr. Scott, gr. to 
Barclay, Esq.; 2, Mr. Reid, gr. to — Smailpi 
Ivery, market-gardener, Wonham. 
Goodhew; 2, Mr. Scott; 3, Mr. Heritage; 4, M 
ket-gardener, Botchworth. Best Collection of 6 Heath 
Scott; 2, Mr. Goodhew; 3, Mr. J. Gad 
Cinerarias, 1, Mr. Goodhew; 2, Ivery; 
Mr. Heritage. Best Seedling Cineraria, 1, Mr. 
Whiting ; 3, Mr.Goodhew. Best 2 tall Cacti, 1, Mr. Heritage; 2, 
Mr, Scott. Best Pair of Polyanthuses, 1, Mr. Whiting ; 2, Mr. Re 
Gadd, market-gardener, Dorking; 3, Mr. Heritage. Best 6 Hya- 
cinths, 1, Mr. J. Gadd; 2, Mr. Whiting ; 3, Mr. Heritage. Best 
Pair of Auriculas, 1, Mr. Iyery; 2, Mr. J. Gadd; 3, Mr. Scott; 4, 
Mr. Heritage. Best 24 Cut Flowers of Pansies, 1, Mr. Chandler, 
r. to — Freshfield, Esq.; 2, Mr. R. Gadd r. Heritage; 4, 
Mr.Ivery. Best Brace of Cucumbers, 1, M iting; 2, Mr. 
Scott; 3, Mr. J. Briggs; 4, Mr. Heritage; 5, Mr. Truelove, gr. to, 
the Misses Carbonell. Extra prize to Mr. J. Gadd. 
hs, 1, Mr. 
Best Collection of 4 
3, Mr. Whiting; 4, 
Ivery; 2, Mr. 
difficult task in determining which was superior ; however, it was 
evident that they gave the preference to size, and the prizes were 
:—Ist prize, to Mr. Latter, of Ipswich ; 2d, to 
Mr. Brown, Chiswick ; 3d, to Mr. Doran, of Wandsworth. There 
also some very handsome fruit that did not receive prizes, 
especially that of Messrs, Thomson, Weeden, and Chapman. 
These were finer in quality than those to which the awards were 
given, but not so large. The company was numerous and 
respectable. 
Cambridgeshire Horticultural Society, April 19. — On Wednes- 
y last this Society held their first show for the season, at the 
Town-hall. The display of flowers, fruit, and vegetables was 
extremely fine, and, for the period, respectable im quantity, 
ollows: AURICULAS (4 best), Ist prize, 
Medal—Taylor's Glory (white), Standard (green), Seedling (grey), 
Lord Primate (self), Mr. R. Headly ; 2nd prize—would have been 
awarded to Mr. Headly had he not gained the first prize; srd 
prize — Metropolitan, Simpson's Commander, Haylock’s ‘Mrs. 
Childers (anknown), Mr. R. Haylock. Seedling Auricula, Mr. R. 
z PoLYANTHUSES (4 best), Bi 
BY . 
Giddings; 21 ze, Mr. Haylock. Seedling Polyanthus, Mr. 
Giddings. Hyacinths (6 best), Ist prize, Mr. G 3 2nd prize, 
Mr. R, d Primroses (3 best pots). Mr. Giddings. Wail. 
lower, ist prize, Mr. Widnall; 2nd prize, Mr. Catling. Plant im 
Pot, ist prize, Tropeolum tricolorum, Mr. Widnall; 2nd 
B 
Brace of Cucumbers, 1st prize, Mr. Newman 
prize, Mr. Tomlin. New Potatoes, Ashtop, Mr. Newman. 
barb, 1st prize, Mr. R. Headly; 2nd prize, Mr. Green. 
Ist prize, Mr. J. Taylor; 2nd prize, Messrs. Hudson. 
RIZES: APPLES iden Knob, Mr. Newman, Prars—Beurré 
Rance, Mr. Tomlin. Corracers’ Prizes, 28. 6d. Bacn: Wall. 
lower, W. Clarke, Bourne; Cabbage, T. George, Shelford; Let. 
tuce, John Cole, Shelford: Rhubarb, T. George, Shelford: Ra. 
dishes, T. George, Shelford; Apples, W. Clarke, Bourne, Con. 
AGERS? ExtRa Prizus: Basket of Vegetables, 1s. 6d., John 
Cole, Shelford ; Ditto, 18. 6d.,T. George, Shelford. , 
Norwich Horticultural Society, April 19.—This meeting was held 
at the Corn Exchange. It appears from the report in the Norwich 
Mercury to have been unusually well attended, 
awarded: MrmBers’ Priz: ‘rurrs & VeceTaBies. —Grapes, 
best, (Muscadine), C. Short, gr. to H. N. Burroughes, Esq., M.P., 
Strawberries, best, (Keen's Seedling), Mr. Stewart, gr. 
gee, Esq., M.P. Pears, best, 1, (Catillac), W- Rippingale, 
gr. to O. Morse, Esq. ; 2, (Uvedale), §. Short, gr. to J. Stracey, 
Esq. Dessert Apple, best, (Brandy Apple), 8. Short. Ribston 
Pippin, equal best, Rey. O. Mathias. Sauce Apple, best, (Bedford 
Soundling), S. Short, v 
Mathias, 
1, (Black-seeded green pee 
lowes ; 2, (Imperial Cabbagi R. Bensley. Endive, best, W. 
igus, W. Gale, gr. to H. Ns 
Seakale, best, S, Short. 
—Fru 
n- 
jest, ( » Sai 
derson, Esq., M.P, Leeks, best, (fag), C. Short. Mushrooms, Mr, 
