166 
MISSION TO ASHANTEE. 
other in the most striking order ; fresh water, so rarely obtained in 
maritime countries, is found here of an excellent qaalitj. Near 
this village a stream constantly rushes from the summit of a rock, 
and affords a fresh and crystalline water. Trees of a very large 
circumference are also found ; I calculated one of the biggest to 
be 45 feet round and 15 in diameter. These trees are not the same 
as those of which Adanson speaks in his description of Senegal, 
(Adansonia digitata) but are of a pecuhar species; they much 
resemble a round tower, as they do not bear either flowers or 
fruits. Here I found the Ammonimxi Grana Paradisi, the Ammo- 
nium Zerumber, and a new genus in a perpendicular tree orna- 
mented by flowers, which resembled tulips, (Novum Genus 
Tetandriae) and of great elegance : also a new species of aloe, of 
which the inhabitants make thread ; a new species of citron with 
indented leaves, and a multitude of unknown trees and shrubs. In 
the thickest forests grows a species of Spanish cane, very straight 
and well proportioned, and often attaining six feet in height; it is 
to be wished that it could be made use of, treating it as the 
Chinese do, for if, when dry, an equal degree of tenacity could be 
induced, it would prove superior in quality. I observed, on the 
boughs of the trees, the Senna plant (which is parasitic, and con- 
sists entirely of a flower), it was almost the shape of a pine when 
open, and the inside is of a very deep red ; the Negroes use it in 
the syphihtic disorder, when first attacked. I took it for the 
Aphuteia Hydrora of Thunberg, but on examination it differs 
much, as it belongs to Icosandria. Palm trees are here very rare, 
except the oliferous (Elois Guineensis) and the viniferous (an 
Phoenix) which are cultivated in great numbers ; also the true 
cocoa nut trees (Cocas nucifera) and the false (an Borassus.) In 
a word, nature entirely changes her form as soon as you reach the 
summit of the chain of mountains, and I do not believe one 
