cHAr. IV. rilOTOGRAPIIY IN THE TROPICS. 87 



to be found in Port Louis ; and as I had often experienced 

 disappointment in the results, arising from causes which, 

 under conditions of light and of atmosphere so different 

 from those of England, it was not easy at first either to 

 comprehend or rectify, I was glad to have occasional recourse 

 to Dr. Powell, in order that we might compare notes and 

 help each other out of difficulties. 



My difficulties arose from diversified causes. Some of 

 them were subsequently removed, others still remained, 

 either owing to my defective knowledge of the subject, or 

 inability to procure the appropriate remedies. I had taken 

 out a considerable quantity of carefully packed waxed and 

 iodised paper, under the generally inculcated belief that it 

 would keep good for any length of time in any climate ; 

 but I found it useless. 



Yet, not^vithstanding all my difficulties, I succeeded in 

 obtaining valuable memorials of my visit in a number of 

 correct representations of some of the most rare and beautiful 

 natural objects which I met with, both in Mauritius and 

 Madagascar, — among those obtained here were views of the 

 town, harbour, and shipping from the battery hill, together 

 wth some attractive portions of the suburbs and adjacent 

 mountains, — and to these I was able to add portraits of some 

 of the most important classes of the people. Nothing surprised 

 me more than the striking contrasts which the physical organ- 

 isation of the natives from Madagascar presented, comprising 

 apparently specimens of pure African races, with the Malayan 

 or Polynesian ; and presenting amongst the Hovas, or people 

 inhabiting the central portion of the island, a remarkable 

 resemblance to the European conformation of head and 

 features. 



During the hottest summer months few people remain in 

 Port Louis who can avoid it, and as there could be no com- 

 munication with Madagascar during the first three months of 



G 4 



