Chap. XXII. TENACITY OF LIFE. 4G3 



so we carried her up to her own hut. One of her relatives was 

 less scrupulous, for he cut out the arrow and part of the lung. 

 Mr. Young sent her occasionally portions of native corn, and 

 strange to say found that she not only became well, but 

 stout. The constitution of these people seems to have a 

 wonderful power of self-repair — and it could be no slight 

 privation which had cut off the many thousands that we saw 

 dead around us. 



We regretted that, in consequence of Dr. Meller having 

 now sole medical charge, we could not have his company 

 in our projected trip ; but he found employment in botany 

 and natural history, after the annual sickly season of March, 

 April, and May was over; and his constant presence was 

 not so much required at the ship. Later in the year, 

 when he could be well spared, he went down the river to 

 take up an appointment he had been offered in Madagascar ; 

 but unfortunately was so severely tried by illness while de- 

 tained at the coast, that for nearly two years, he was not able 

 to turn his abilities as a naturalist to account by proceeding 

 to that island. We have no doubt but he will yet distinguish 

 himself in that untrodden field. 



