98 
REMINSCENCES OF A VOYAGE TO AND FROM CHINA. 
spots are, Protects , Mimosas, Ericas, SfC. ; but the chief station of the 
Ericece is the tops of the mountains in this very mountainous country. 
Among other European fruits, the Dutch planters have not forgotten 
the grape-vine; extensive vineyards exist in the interior, from 
which considerable profits accrue to the planters, who drive a pretty 
fair trade in Constantia and Cape Madeira wines for exportation. 
These vineyards we had no opportunity of seeing, but were told that 
the same culture is bestowed as is practised in the vineyards on the 
banks of the Rhine. 
The ship’s course from the Cape was easterly, and in about 40° south 
latitude, until the longitude of Madras was gained ; and luckily, at 
this very point, the south-east trade-wind was met, which carried 
us directly north, past the east side of the Island of Ceylon, to our 
destined port. 
On our arrival at Madras (3rd April, 1793) the whole of the plants 
were in a sad mutilated condition. The sudden transition from the 
cold of a British winter into the heat of the torrid zone, within the 
space of twenty-eight days, excited them into a rapid growth, which 
their roots were not in a condition to uphold, and the shoots and leaves 
they did put forth, being of the most delicate texture, withered 
altogether in doubling the Cape. And though some of them showed 
signs of returning health when we again crossed the tropic of Capricorn, 
few of them were worth carrying on shore at Madras. Gooseberries 
and currants quite dead; peaches and nectarines dead down to the bud, 
and their stocks hardly alive. Pear and apple trees looking pretty well; 
these last were sent on shore and presented to the Nabob of Arcot, then 
living in the vicinity of Madras. 
The closely packed box which had been kept in the hold, agreeably 
to the wish of Mr. Loddiges, was opened on our arrival here, and found 
a complete failure. Every particle of moisture was exhaled; and the 
juices of every plant had vanished, except in one instance, which was 
in a thick stump of the root of a common laurel. Had means been used 
to keep this box in a damp state, I have no doubt that many of the plants 
would have arrived in a recoverable state. 
As the plants which we carried out were only for the purpose of 
experimenting upon, no regret or disappointment was felt at their 
failure. Their fate taught us that European plants intended for such 
a voyage should be such as have been established in pots for a year or 
two before they go on board; and instead of leaving Europe in the 
depth of winter, a better season would be nearer midsummer. 
Our approach to the Indian coast was most interesting, and any one 
who considers the length and difficulties of such a voyage must be 
