356 TRAVELS IN 
far even as the mountains of the Houzou- 
anas. 
What treafures would thefe learned botanrfts 
have found there! And what riches might 
they not have brought away with them ! 
I have myfelf, indeed, but a few icore draw- 
ings, to prove Vhat fcience might have gained 
by their means : yet I invite other travellers 
to undertake what my little knowledge of bota- 
ny prevented me from performing ; and I dare 
promife them before hand the moft fplendid 
fuccefs. But at the fame time 1 muft tell them, 
that they ought to dedicate feveral years to their 
refearches, without which it will he impofTible 
for them to accomplifh their purpofe to any 
great extent. 
It is not in Africa as in what are called the 
temperate countries of Europe. In thefe, na- 
ture gives the earth to vegetate part of the year 
only, while, during the other part, it is dead 
and lifelefs. In Africa, on the contrary, there 
is no interruption. The foil, warmed by the 
continual heat, is always fertile ; and every 
month yields its plants, its flowers, and its 
fruits. Nor is there, as in Europe, a gradual 
development and regular fucceffion. It is not 
the 
