DISPUTE SETTLED. 
145 
seen but rarely, now became conspicuous. The country 
was varied with hill and dale, covered with shrubs six or 
seven feet high, while here and th<jre lofty cotton trees 
towered on high, or the less assuming iron-wood tree, a 
species apparently of Siderodendron. One tree of con- 
siderable height was found to be in flower and fruit, and 
seemed to be a new genus allied to Crescentia ; the 
fruit is filled with firm, solid pulp, two feet long, half a 
foot broad, hanging downwards, as also the flowers, by 
a long pedicle. There was also the magnificent Fan palm, 
but not abundant ; and from a few stems noticed, it is 
probable that some sorts of Calamus are common further 
inland. The Poinciana pulcherrima., or Barbadoes 
fence flowei*, in full bloom, lined the road-sides, inter- 
spersed with yellow Compositce, At the west end of 
the town, a beautiful avenue of Hibiscus was a most 
interesting feature. 
We had an opportunity of witnessing the arrange- 
ment of one of the numerous disputes which are referred 
to the Governor from all parts of the neighbouring 
country — of itself a sufficient proof they consider him to 
be impartial and wise in his administrations. 
The case was explained by native interpreters to be a 
feud between two Akim chiefs, but in such a round-about 
way, that no person could make much of it, except that 
some one was guilty of having committed murder and 
outrage. Governor M‘Lean here shewed his perfect esti- 
mate of the Fanti character, by punishing both. However 
strange it may sound to an Englishman’s ears, it was at 
VOL. I. 
L 
