140 
HINTS TO TRAVELLERS. 
important that the traveller should be able to recognise the chief classes 
of plants, so that specialists may be able to pronounce generally on their 
utility. 
Character of Surface .—The general character of the surface of a country, 
so far as its vegetation is concerned, should be clearly grasped. What 
proportion, or, if possible, what area is under forest ? what under grass ? 
what desert, or mountain, or marsh, or uncultivable ? what under cultiva¬ 
tion? 
Forests .—If of a generally forest or thickly-wooded character, are the 
forests extensive and dense, with much undergrowth, as in tropical South 
America? or easily penetrable as the forests of Europe and North 
America ? Or are the trees scattered, either in clumps, or singly, as in a 
great part of Central Africa ? Do they prevail over the country generally, 
or are the river-banks only lined with dense tree vegetation ? Are the 
forests only found in the low country, or do they cover the hills and 
extend up the mountains ? 
Timber .—Ascertain the leading characteristics of the trees of the forests. 
What are the prevailing families, and, if possible, genera and species ? 
What uses, if any, do the natives make of the woods ? Which do they 
use for their houses, their furniture, their canoes, their weapons, their 
ornaments ? How do the woods seem to stand tear and wear, the climate, 
the attack of destructive insects, immersion in water? Are there any 
woods that would do for such purposes as railway-sleepers or tele¬ 
graph-poles in the conditions which prevail in the country? Any 
ornamental woods suitable for cabinet purposes ? 
Fibres , Fruits , Chemicals , &c. —Are there any plants the fibres of which 
could be turned to account ? Any fruits adapted to human consumption, 
and are they found in any quantity, or could they be cultivated ? 
Are there any trees or other plants suitable for drugs or chemicals— 
bark, leaves, juices, roots ? What medicines, narcotics, or stimulants are 
used by the natives ? how are they obtained and how prepared ? 
Are there any species of useful plants growing wild—coffee, sugar, 
cotton, vanilla, spices, &c. ? Any trees producing gums that might be of 
commercial value, like gum arabic, gutta-percha, or caoutchouc? Or 
any whose fruits yield oil, like the cocoa-nut and the olive ? Do the 
natives make use of these juices ? What are the processes of extraction 
and preparation? 
