AWFUL SPECTACLE. 
83 
distorted shape, some portions blackened and dessicated : 
others in a state of putrefaction. The viscera were 
protruding and covered with flies; the bones of the 
head white, as if they had been bleached for years. 
Yet, sad as the spectacle was, it seemed to be 
even more so when remembered that their benighted 
countrymen would regard this as an especial mark 
of the favour of their gods, who had thus translated 
them by the agency of a fluid which they worship 
as a deity. 
In his botanical researches, Dr. Vogel made many 
enquiries after the somewhat mystical ‘ cream-fruit’ 
of Afzelius. The name was unknown, but several 
persons guessed, from his description, that it must 
be a fruit they call ‘ Bird-lime,’ of which he procured a 
dried specimen nearly ripe. It is not eaten readily 
by any person. After all, he says “ we have yet to 
learn whether cream-fruit, bird-lime, and Don’s sweet 
Pishanin, are or ai-e not identical.” 
“The Oil Palm fElais GuinensisJ is the only one 
occurring often near Freetown. It is monKScious, the male 
flower grows above the female. It sometimes produces 
fruit when only seven feet high, before the lowest 
ribs have decayed. There was also a Leguminosa, 
belonging apparently, from the fruit, to the genus 
Afzelia ; but if so, it would form a separate division. 
“ Though a rich Flora, it was not — near the town, 
nor in the mountains — so luxuriant as description leads 
G 2 
