174 



Expedition iiito Central Africa. 



[April 



The Botanical researches of the expedition will extend to the 

 preservation of specimens of plants not found in the colony, and es- 

 pecially of transportable roots and the seeds of all such as may be 

 found in a ripened state, noting localities and the varieties of aspect 

 which vegetation puts on in different situations. In regard to other 

 branches of natural history, as it is obvious that after a short expe- 

 rience of research under your direction, almost every one will be 

 able to recognize and preserve what is rare or novel, no further in* 

 struction needs to be given, except the general expression of the de- 

 sire of the Committee that all shall endeavour to secure for the Ex- 

 pedition whatever in any department they esteem valuable, it being 

 expressly understood that every article collected by each individual 

 belongs in property to the Subscribers to the Expedition collec= 

 tively. 



In regard to the inhabitants themselves it is of paramount in- 

 terest to gain an exact portrait of their life as respects their condi- 

 tion, arts, and policy, their language, their external appearance, popu- 

 lation, origin, and relation to other tribes, or in general whatever 

 tends to elucidate their disposition or resources as sharers or agents 

 in commerce, or their preparation to receive Christianity. 



It will be proper to ascertain their religious traditions or practices 

 if they have any, distinguishing what is indigenous from the glim- 

 mering apprehension of great religious truths which necessarily 

 spreads in advance of the scenes of missoniary labour. 



ExamJne also the state of their intellect generally, as exemplified 

 in their social and political arrangements and common traditions, 

 songs, or amusements, and particularly in regard to their knowledge 

 of nature and their notions of its vast and varied proceedings, as 

 thunder, rain, wind, &c. 



Enquiries respecting commerce and the prospect of its extension 

 are to be viewed as of no small importance in this undertaking. 

 Every means must be used to ascertain its present nature, channels, 

 and extent, and to determine the existing demand for foreign com- 

 modities, and the return which may be expected for them. Proper 

 enquiries may also lead to some satisfactory views of its future con- 

 dition, as indicated by the wants of the native population, or the ob- 

 jects of most importance to improve their condition, and the corres- 

 ponding recources for exchange which may arise from a more bene- 

 ficial employment of their industry. 



Lastly, we may notice the propriety of making enquiries or 

 gathering information with respect to similar enterprises, as whether 

 the natives have traditions of movements of their own, or of the 

 arrival of strangers among them. All that can be gathered respect- 

 ing Dr. Cowan's expedition will be acceptable in the highest degree. 

 The elucidation also of an isolated effort to struggle through the 

 difficulties of African travelling should also be kept in view : it was 

 made by a missionary of the name of Martin, who has not been heard 

 of since he crossed the Colonial boundary in December, 1831. He is 



