CHAr. IV. 
PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE TROPICS. 
87 
to be found in Port Louis; and as I had often experienced 
disappointment in the results, arising from causes which, 
under conditions of light and of atmosphere so different 
from those of England, it was not easy at first either to 
comprehend or rectify, I was glad to have occasional recourse 
to Dr. Powell, in order that we might compare notes and 
help each other out of difficulties. 
My difficulties arose from diversified causes. Some of 
them were subsequently removed, others still remained, 
either owing to my defective knowledge of the subject, or 
inability to procure the appropriate remedies. I had taken 
out a considerable quantity of carefully packed waxed and 
iodised paper, under the generally inculcated belief that it 
would keep good for any length of time in any climate; 
but I found it useless. 
Yet, notwithstanding all my difficulties, I succeeded in 
obtaining valuable memorials of my visit in a number of 
correct representations of some of the most rare and beautiful 
natural objects which I met with, both in Mauritius and 
Madagascar,— among those obtained here were views of the 
town, harbour, and shipping from the battery hill, together 
with some attractive portions of the suburbs and adjacent 
mountains,—and to these I was able to add portraits of some 
of the most important classes of the people. Nothing surprised 
me more than the striking contrasts which the physical organ¬ 
isation of the natives from Madagascar presented, comprising 
apparently specimens of pure African races, with the Malayan 
or Polynesian; and presenting amongst the Hovas, or people 
inhabiting the central portion of the island, a remarkable 
resemblance to the European conformation of head and 
features. 
During the hottest summer months few people remain in 
Port Louis who can avoid it, and as there could be no com¬ 
munication with Madagascar during the first three months of 
