272 
ARRIVAL AT AMBAOA 
aro not aware, besides that nervous influence which causes 
constant motion to our own involuntary muscles, the 
power of life-long action without fatiguo. The reader will 
remember, in connection with this insect, tho case of the 
ants alroady mentioned. 
December 14. — Both myself and men having recovered 
from severo attacks of fovor, wo loft tho hospitable resi- 
dence of Mr. Canto with a deep sonso of his kindness to 
us all, and proceeded on our way to Ambaca. (Lat. 9° 16’ 
SV'S., long. 15° 23' E.) 
Owing to the weakness of tho men who had been sick, 
wo were able to march but short distances. Three hours 
and a half brought us to the banks of tho Caloi, a small 
stream which flows into tho Sonza. 
Wo found, on reaching Ambaca, that tho gallant old 
soldier, Laurence Jose Marquis, had, since our passing 
lcoilo i Bongo, been promoted, on account of his stern 
integrity, to tho government of this important district. 
The office of commandant is much coveted by the officors 
of tho line who como to Angola, not so much for tho salary 
as for tho perquisites, which, when managed skilfully, in 
tho course of a few years make ono rich. 
Boforo leaving Ambaca we received a present of ten head 
of cattlo from Mr. Schut of Loanda; and, as it shows the 
cheapness of provisions hero, I may mention that the cost 
was only about a guinea per head. 
On crossing the Lucalla we made a detour to the south, 
in order to visit tho famous rocks of Pungo Andongo. As 
soon as we crossed tho rivulet Loteto, a change in the 
vegetation of the country was apparent. Wo found trees 
identical with those to bo seen south of tho Chobo. The 
grass, too, stands in tufts, and is of that kind which the 
natives consider to be best adapted for cattle. Two spociea 
of grape-bearing vines abound everywhere in this district, 
and the influence of the good pasturage is seen in the plump 
condition of the cattlo. In all my previous inquiries re- 
specting the vegetable products of Angola, I was invariably 
