Geographical Collections. 14] 
humane, and intelligent. They every where saw the French received with re- 
spect and kindness. 
The Greeks regularly precede their public worship by a prayer for the royal 
family of France. 
The expedition took notice of ruins of several monuments of the highest an. 
tiquity. A report of the 10th May contains the details of the observations which 
we notice. : 
In a second exposé, M. Bory de St. Vincent gives an account of several new 
excursions, and describes abundant collections, the produce of the soil, which he 
is to forward to the Museum of Natural History. The expedition, augmented 
by a new member, M. Goguet de Bourlay, sent out by the Minister of the Inte- 
rior, was again divided into two sections,—the first embarked to explore the 
coast, the second visited the interior of Etolia. The report points out a vast 
number of errors in the charts which we possess of that coast. The expedition 
goes on to speak in terms of self-gratulation on the favourable reception they 
continued to receive from the Greeks. It speaks in the highest terms of their 
moral character and intelligence. 
‘In Laconia, as well as in Messenia,’ says M. Bory, ‘ the French are the 
objects of the most friendly dispositions on the part of the inhabitants; even in 
the small villages they do not begin public worship without a general prayer for 
the royal family of France.’ ‘ The manners of the Mainotes,’ adds M. Bory, 
“have interested us extremely. Their history will certainly form the most in- 
teresting part of our narrative. We claim the honour of having been the first 
among Europeans who penetrated amongst the descendants of the Spartans, _ 
amongst whom we found the manners of ancient times, modified by feudal cus- 
toms, which are in the spirit of those of the 13th century. 
‘ Lraconia is susceptible of the greatest improvements; the land there is ex- 
tremely productive, though from being badly managed, every kind of agriculture 
and gardening are in a state of infancy, and the fruits and herbage of all kinds 
are of avery inferior quality. When it is considered that this defect may be 
remedied, and that the unwholesomeness of the marshy lands may be removed by 
bringing thither a considerable number of exotic plants, of which they do not 
know even the name, it may be imagined that even the least political commotion 
and the smallest change in the usages of the country, have been of service to this 
part of Greece, and will become beneficial to humanity.’ 
The excess of labour, under an ardent sun, was at length nearly fatal to some 
of the travellers. M. Baccuet became dangerously ill, as did M. Virlet, whose 
zeal carried him too far. ‘ On our arrival at Monembasia,’ contiuues the direc- 
tor of the expedition, MM. Brusle and Delaunay, both zealous for the objects of 
the expedition, became also ill. Dr. Pector, who was left behind from the mari- 
time expedition, was unable to give any assistance to his colleagues. M. Saccha- 
rini, a young Bavarian doctor, who was attached to the Greek regular troops, was 
sent expressly by the President of Greece to give his aid to the expedition. The 
invalids, who were convalescent at the departure of the courier, were conducted 
by the director, M. Bory, on board a steam-boat to Tisio, an island of the Archi- 
pelago, and about 15 hours sail from the coast.’ 
Very rich collections were made during the journey in Arcadia and Laconia, 
but as yet nothing has been sent to France. 
The reporter concludes by an enumeration of the scientific riches for which we 
are indebted to the commission. They are as numerous as could be expected from 
a country known for so long a period, but still imperfectly, so close to our terri- 
tory, and in a latitude so little different. 
The committee of the Institute gives the highest credit to the zeal, activity, 
and profound skill of the director of the expedition, as well as to those of all its 
members. It mentions that it was the authorities who conceived the happy idea 
of an expedition which brings so much credit to France. The Academy of 
Sciences, consulted on the choice of subjects, must applaud those to which the 
attention of the expedition was directed, 
