186 REPORT — 1859. 



ingly setoffon this errand, while Mr. Cooke and I set off in the whaler to bring the canoes 

 round to the mouth, by which the ' Pearl ' entered, but which had, since that time, 

 changed for the worse. While lying out in the ship, the captain desired us to survey the 

 bar, but after a long cruize we found it quite dangerous to cross, and so put about, in- 

 tending to return to the ship. After hard work at theoars, we found that impossible, and 

 anchored, and now the seas broke over us so, that we were forced to hoist sail and run 

 through everything, if by any chance we might reach calm water. All day we had 

 nothing to eat but raw pork, and on coming to the bar again it was almost dark, and 

 so rough that it would have been a certain capsize without hope of reaching the shore. 

 So we put about again, determined to beach the boat on the open coast, though it would 

 certainly be smashed under us, in hopes that we might get on shore between the rollers. 

 The surf even then was far too heavy to give us the least chance in the dark, so we 

 stood to sea again, when luckily the current changed, and after three tacks we reached 

 the ship, which we had scarce done when the gale came on in earnest, washing the 

 decks from stem to stern. A few days after, on the gale going down, we descried the 

 boat and launch inside the river, l'went off in a boat with the gunner and quarter- 

 master to communicate." [Here follows an account of their crossing the bar, which 

 must have been very bad, for he says that, but for their excellent surf-boat and the 

 steady coolness of the gunner and quartermaster, they would of a certainty have been 

 swamped.] " Here we found the Doctor, and, the next day being much quieter, the 

 whaler went off to the ship. 



" You will be glad to hear that this place has not shown itself to us unhealthy. Some 

 of us have been sick, but only for a short time ; and for my own part, 1 have enjoyed 

 as good health as ever I did in England. 



" I have had an official letter, thanking me for attending to the sick of the Portu- 

 guese army, and have been mentioned in general orders by the Governor of Mozam- 

 bique ; this will always get me along with the Portuguese. 



" This work has prevented me from doing much to botany of late, but I have seen 

 a great deal of the country, and am learning the language. 



" Our proposed operations are to go toTete, where the Doctor's brother now is, and 

 which is a fine place, as soon as possible. The launch has been there, and has had 

 the coal in use, which M'Rae says is similar to Welsh coal, and keeps steam well. 

 Bains is in the pinnace working her up Tete. 



" October 5. — The ' Lynx' has come in all safe, and though she struck on the way 

 is seemingly uninjured. We have had some of her hands with us improving our 

 accommodation and doing repairs; but, best of all, we are to have Walker, the 

 quartermaster of the' Lynx,' whose first-rate qualities, while up the river and crossing 

 the bar frequently with me had so struck me that I urged the Doctor to apply for 

 him. I know that he is a first-rate man, and will keep the kroomen in their proper 

 place. I have some hopes that we may get another European sailor or stoker; so, if 



we are as fortunate in him as in our quartermaster, we shall be set up We are to 



go on direct to Tete from this, and will thus clear the Delta before the unhealthy 

 season comes on, and, we hope, be out of the reach of the fevers. We expect to be 

 off to Tete to-morrow." 



On the Aboriginals of Australia. By the Hon. T. M'Combie. 



On the Native Inhabitants of Formosa. By Dr. M'Gowan. 



On Chinese Genealogical Tables. By Dr. M'Gowan. 



The Russian Trade with Central Asia. By Thomas Michell, F.R.G.S. 

 The march of civilization in the rear of Russian caravans, military detachments, 

 and scientific expeditions, is rapidly increasing the artificial requirements of the Central 

 Asiatic, creating a greater demand for his produce, and teaching him the advantages 

 of a peaceful, settled life. It may therefore be commercially advantageous, if not 

 politically important, to inquire closely into the habits and circumstances of a popu- 

 lation now becoming more accessible from India by the extension of railways, the 



