The Project Gutenberg Ebook of Travels in Western Africa in the years 1818, 19, 20 and 21 by William Gray

FOOTNOTES:

[34]Shells.

[35]Nominal value 2s. 6d. each.

[36]Nominal value 1s. 6d. each.

[37]The late unfortunate occurrences on the Gold Coast, and the melancholy death of Sir Charles M‘Carthy, have been too recently before the public to need any remark of mine. I must, however, be permitted to say, that in that gallant, intelligent and zealous commander, Africa has lost one of her best friends, and society one of its greatest ornaments.

APPENDIX.

ARTICLE I.

The town of Bathurst is situate on the south-eastern extremity of the island of Saint Mary’s, at the mouth of the river Gambia, and lies in 16°. 6′. 3″. western longitude, and 13°. 28′. 20″. northern latitude. The greatest extent of the island is about four miles from WNW. to ESE., but its general breadth does not exceed a mile and a half, in some places much less. The surface of the island is a low plain, with a slight descent from the north and east sides towards the centre, where, during the season of the rains, it is much inundated. Its north-east shore, on which stands a part of the town, is not more than twelve or fourteen feet above the level of high-water mark. The tides, however, are very irregular, and are much influenced in their rise and fall by the NW. and SE. winds.

The settlement, although in its infant state, has made a most rapid progress in improvement. Many fine substantial government buildings have been lately erected, and the British merchants resident there, have vied with each other in the elegant and convenient arrangement of their dwelling-houses and stores, all which are built with stone or brick, and roofed with slates or shingles.

The soil of the island is a red or light coloured sand, with little appearance of clay or mould, but from its having furnished the natives of the adjacent country, and the inhabitants of a small town which formerly stood on the island, with rice previously to our taking possession of it, I am satisfied it would, by proper management, bring all the productions of the country to perfection; and, no doubt, be rendered as congenial to the culture of some of our garden vegetables as Senegal or Sierra-Leone.

The edges of the creeks which intersect the island, and the low grounds about them, are thickly covered with mangroves, which are rapidly decreasing in being turned to advantage for fuel both in the houses and for the burning of lime. The palm tree, the monkey-bread, or baobab, and several other kinds of large trees, are thickly scattered all over the high grounds, and with an abundance of shrubs and ever-greens give the place a cool, refreshing, though wild appearance.

Sarah Creek, so called by the natives, is from twenty-five to forty yards wide, and at ebb tide contains no less than seven feet water in the shallowest place, many places having twelve and upwards, with a bottom of hard sand and clay.

Crooked Creek, which is about the same breadth, has only two feet water at its mouth during the ebb, but its general depth in other places is from three to six feet.

Turnbull Creek is likewise very shallow, having in no place more than five feet water. It is possible that much benefit might result from so shutting up the mouths of Newt and Crooked Creeks, and the one adjoining the latter, as to prevent the high flood-tides in the rainy season from entering them, as it would, if effectually done, reclaim from inundation and its consequent bad effects, a large space in the almost immediate vicinity of the town. But it remains to decide whether the ground about them is lower than high-water mark, in which case it would be impossible to remedy the present evil in any other way than raising the level of the surface, a work that would be attended with considerable expense and difficulty.

That this infant colony has answered, nay, exceeded the most sanguine expectations of all concerned, is strongly proved by the very great and rapid increase of its population, not only by the considerable augmentation of the number of British merchants, but by an immense influx of the inhabitants of Goree, who, not finding employment under the French Government there, and being excluded from the trade of the Gambia, except through the medium of Saint Mary’s, or a small factory belonging to the French at Albreda (than which they are not allowed to go higher up the river) are daily emigrating to Bathurst.

The troops, inhabitants, and merchants are abundantly supplied with beef, mutton, poultry, fish, fruit, milk, butter, palm-wine, and all the African vegetables by the natives of the surrounding towns, who, feeling the advantage of such intimacy with the settlement, flock to it in great numbers, and consume a large proportion of the European articles imported into the colony.

Gold, ivory, bees-wax, and hides are brought thither in considerable quantities by the natives, traders, and the inhabitants of Goree who have settled there, and are annually shipped for England by the British merchants; fine timber of the mahogany kind has been found on the banks of, and islands in the river, and has likewise been sent to the home market, where, I believe, it has met with some encouragement.

ARTICLE II.—See Page 59.

PRESENTS TO THE KING OF KATOBA, APRIL 18th, 1818.

One fine gilt dirk.
A stone of large amber.
Ten bars of glass beads.
Two bottles of rum.
One piece of blue baft.
One do. of white muslin.
Twenty bars of amber.
Twenty do. of coral.
Eighteen bars of tobacco.
Sixteen do. of red cloth.

ARTICLE III.—See Page 87.

PRESENTS MADE TO THE KING OF WOOLLI AND HIS CHIEFS.

TO THE KING.

One single gun.
One pound, No. 1, amber.
Forty dollars.
A piece of white baft.
A ditto of blue ditto.
Twelve stones, No. 1, coral.

TO HIS SON.

A common gun.
Five stones, No. 2, amber.
Five do. No. 2, coral.

TO THE CHIEFS.

One hundred and twenty-six bars in amber, coral, and bafts.

ARTICLE IV.—See Page 116.

PRESENTS MADE TO ALMAMY BONDOO, HIS CHIEFS, MINISTERS, &C. JUNE 13th, 1818.

A fine blue velvet saddle and bridle.
A large umbrella, gold laced and fringed.
A sabre.
A silver gilt cup.
Eight pieces of blue baft.
Two do. of white.
Two do. of blue cambric muslin.
Two do. of taffety.
Two do. of muslin.
Four pieces of white cambric muslin.
Four yards of scarlet cloth.
Five do. of yellow do.
Five do. of green do.
Two pounds of cloves.
Three double barrelled guns.
Four single do.
One pound amber, No. 1.
One string of large pipe coral.
Two do. small do.
One silver cup.
Two metal do.
One pair fine pistols.
Fifty pounds of tobacco.
Four morocco bound blank books.
Four cannisters of fine powder.
A small bale of flints.
One hundred and fifty pounds of powder.
Twenty-four dollars.
One yard red serge.
Seven do. of yellow.
Knives, scissors and snuff boxes, six each.
Two razors, two pair of spectacles.
Some worsted thread.

TO SAADA, HIS ELDEST SON.

One fine single gun.
Two pieces blue baft.
One do. white do.
One do. muslin.
One do. cambric muslin.
One yard scarlet cloth.
Ten stones of coral.
Twenty do. of amber, No. 1.
Fifty fine flints.
One morocco bound book.
Four canisters of fine powder.
Five yards of taffety.
Scissors, razors, snuff boxes, and knives, three each.

TO THE MINISTERS.

Four pieces blue baft.
Three do white do.
One do. muslin.
One do. taffety.
Four yards scarlet cloth.
One pound, No. 2, amber.
One string of coral.
Twenty-five pounds of powder.
Two pieces of blue cambric muslin.
Knives, scissors and snuff-boxes, twelve each.
Six razors.

AGREEMENT

ENTERED INTO

WITH ALMAMY BONDOO, AND PRESENTS MADE TO HIM AND THE PRINCES, MINISTERS, ETC., ON THE 9TH MAY, 1819.

ARTICLE VI.—See Page 222.

TO ALMAMY MOOSA KING OF BONDOO, ETC.

FROM MAJOR WILLIAM GRAY, COMMANDING HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S MISSION IN THE INTERIOR OF AFRICA,

GREETING,

Whereas it being my intention to make you a present suitable to your exalted situation as King of Bondoo, in order to obtain your friendship and assistance in prosecuting my journey; and to convince you of the amicable intentions of our great King George towards you and all your people, I have to demand from you in return the following terms, viz.—

1st. That you give directions to the chiefs of all the towns or villages in your kingdom, through which we may pass, to receive us as the messengers of so great a king as ours should be received.

2d. That you supply us with guides as far as your power extends in the direction we wish to proceed.

3d. That the presents given consist of the following articles, viz.

To complete the presents to Almamy Amady for the last year:

2	Double guns	Two.
6	Single do.	Six.
1	Fine double do.	One.
160	Bottles of powder	One hundred and sixty.

Present to Almamy Moosa this year:

2	Fine double guns	Two.
1	Do. single do.	One.
4	Pieces blue baft	Four.
4	Do. white do.	Four.
3	Yards of scarlet cloth	Three.
5	Do. sprigged muslin	Five.
5	Do. tamboured do.	Five.
5	Do. taffety	Five.
1	lb. Amber	One.
50	lb. Powder	Fifty.
1	Piece of cambric	One.
20	Grains of coral	Twenty.
500	Flints	Five hundred.
500	Balls	Five hundred.
1	lb. Cloves	One.

TO THE QUEEN.

1	Pair of sprigged muslin pangs.
1	Do. fine worked do.
10	Stones large amber.
10	Do. coral.
9	Bunches of beads.
½	lb. Cloves.
3	Yards of serge.

William Gray, Major.

I, Almamy Moosa, in consequence of the above presents, and my wish to be of service to you, the messenger of your King George of England, do hereby bind myself to render you the protection and assistance required by the foregoing terms; In confirmation of which I do hereby affix my signature, in the name of God the Most High, this 9th day of May, 1819, at Boolebany.

(Signed)	Almamy Moosa Yeora.
	Thierno—Mamadoo.
	Prince Mamadoo Safietta.

ARTICLE VII.—See Page 222.

PRESENT TO SAADA, 9TH MAY, 1819.

One double gun.
One piece of blue baft.
One piece of white baft.
One do. of cambric muslin.
Fifteen pounds of powder.
Half a pound of No. 2, amber.
Ten stones of do. coral.
Two hundred flints.

TO PRINCE TOMANY.

One double gun.
One single do.
Two pieces of blue baft.
Two do. of white baft.
Four yards of scarlet.
One piece of cambric muslin.
Half a pound of No. 2, amber.
Ten stones of do. coral.
Twenty-five pounds powder.
Two hundred flints.
Four ounces of cloves.

ARTICLE VIII.—See Page 223.

TO PRINCE AMADY CAMA, 18TH MAY.

One double gun.
Half a piece of blue baft.
Half a do. of white baft.
Ten stones of No. 2, amber.
Five pounds of powder.
Fifty flints.

TO PRINCE ALI HOO, 18TH MAY, 1819.

Half a piece of blue baft.
Half a piece of white baft.
Half a yard of scarlet.
Ten stones of No. 2, amber.
Four do. of coral.
Three pounds of powder.
Fifty flints.

TO OSMAN CUMBA, CHIEF OF SAMBA CONTAYE.

One double gun.
Half a piece of blue baft.
Half a do. of white do.
Ten stones of No. 2, amber.
Four do. of coral.
One yard of scarlet.
Fifty flints.
Four ounces of cloves.
Five pounds of powder.

ARTICLE IX.—See Page 232.

PRESENT MADE TO THE GUIDES.

One double gun.
Four pieces of blue baft.
Two do. of white do.
Two do. of Manchester prints.
Three yards of scarlet cloth.
Four muslin pangs.
Three taffety do.
One pound of No. 2, amber.
Six yards of baize.
Ten bunches of beads.
Five hundred flints.
Six knives and scissors.

ARTICLE X.—See Page 284.

PRESENT SENT TO THE CHIEFS OF FOOTA.

Two pieces of blue baft.
Two pieces of white do.
One pound of No. 2, amber.
One blank book.
Two yards of scarlet cloth.
Twenty-five pounds of powder.
Two hundred flints.
One piece of Manchester print.

TO THE TWO FOOTA PEOPLE WHO ACCOMPANIED OUR MESSENGER.

One piece of white baft.
Half a do. of blue do.
Eight pounds of powder.
Fifty flints.
One yard of scarlet cloth.
Thirty grains of No. 2, amber.

ARTICLE XI.—See Page 261.

LIST OF THINGS RECEIVED FROM FOOTA OF THOSE LOST THERE.

Three horses.
Seventeen asses.
Three goats.
Four double guns.
Thirteen muskets.
One pair of pistols.
One sword.
Four spring guns.
Two tents.
One bale of 50 pounds of powder.
One do. of flints.
One bag of balls.
Three large saws.
Two small do.
Three old saddles.
One and a half do. of blue baft.
The books and boxes.
Cooking utensils.
Forty country cloths, in payment for two asses that died while in their possession, and the two gold rings I had given Bayla.

ARTICLE XII.—See Page 288.

PRESENTS TO SAMBA CONGOLE AND THE CHIEFS OF FORT ST. JOSEPH.

TO SAMBA.

One double gun.
One single do.
One pair of pistols.
Twenty-five pounds of powder.
One yard of scarlet cloth.
Sixteen grains of No. 1, amber.
Sixteen do. of No. 2, corals.
Five pair of pangs.
Four bunches of beads.
One hundred flints.
Half a pound of cloves.

TO THE CHIEFS.

Two double guns.
Two pieces of baft.
Fifteen pounds of powder.
Two hundred and fifty flints.
Forty-six grains of No. 2, amber.
Forty-six do. of No. 3, coral.
Five ounces of cloves.

ARTICLE XIII.—See Page 305.

FIRST PRESENT TO MODIBA.

Two double guns.
Two single do.
One pair of pistols.
One sword.
Fifty pounds of powder.
Five thousand flints.
Two pieces of blue baft.
Two do. of white do.
One yard of scarlet cloth.
One do. of yellow do.
One do. of green do.
Five do. of muslin.
Five do. of taffety.
Two fine pangs.
Half a piece of print.
Half a do. of blue silk.
Two coloured silk handkerchiefs.
Ten large stones of No. 1, amber.
Eight do. of No. 1, coral.
Half a piece of India print.
One fine saddle cloth.
A handsome plated tureen and cover. To which was added on the 1st of April,

ARTICLE XIV.—See Page 305.

One pound of small amber.
One pound of cloves.
One dirk and belt.
Twelve dollars.
One pound of worsted thread.
Two bunches of beads.
One silver cup.

ARTICLE XV.—See Page 307.

PRESENT TO ALI.

One double gun.
Two yards of muslin.
Two do. of silk.
Six stones of No. 1, amber.
Six do. of No. 3, coral.
One piece of blue baft.
One piece of pang.
Seven pounds of powder.
Fifty flints.
Two ounces of cloves.
Quarter of a yard of scarlet cloth.

ARTICLE XVI.—See Page 309.

THIRD PRESENT TO MODIBA, ON THE 14TH OF APRIL.

One piece of blue baft.
One do. of white do.
One muslin pang.
One worsted do.
One silk do.
One pound of small amber.
Twenty-four stones, No. 3, coral.
Four ounces of cloves.
Fifteen pounds of powder.
Two hundred flints.
One silver medal.

ARTICLE XVII.—See Page 314.

FOURTH PRESENT TO MODIBA.

One double gun.
One pound of No. 3, amber.
Ten yards of callico.
Six yards of silk.
Some fine beads.
Ten pounds of powder.
Half a yard of scarlet.
One hundred flints.

ARTICLE XVIII.—See Page 316.

FIFTH PRESENT TO MODIBA.

One single gun.
Two pairs of fine pangs.

ARTICLE XIX.

LIST OF THINGS TAKEN BY MODIBA’S SLAVES AT MONIA.

One double gun.
Twenty pounds of powder.
Four yards of red silk.
Twelve do. of callico.
One do. of scarlet cloth.
One do. of yellow do.
Two pounds of amber.
One thousand flints.
A large quantity of beads.
Four ounces of small pipe coral.
Four yards of baize; a number of knives, scissors, snuff boxes, looking glasses, and a ream of paper.

ARTICLE XX.—See Page 325.

I here witnessed an extraordinary ceremony performed by one of the young princes, who was about undergoing the Mahometan rite of circumcision. He was dressed in the manner shewn in figure 1, plate 4; and accompanied by a host of musicians and young men, visited several towns for the purpose of levying contributions on the provisions and purses of the inhabitants, either by stealth (and for which he could not be punished, not being amenable to the laws for that period) or during his exhibitions in public, by seizing on some of the spectators, whom he held fast and pretended to goad with the horn attached to the wooden figure on his head, until he received some offering which was never withheld, and which, together with the intercession of his attendants, who fanned him with boughs of trees, appeased his wrath, and induced him to sit down. In this position he remained for some minutes, and in an apparent paroxysm of rage recommenced his antics, which generally continued for two or three hours during the heat of the day, leaving the person so exhausted from his exertions and the weight of his dress, that he did not again make his appearance until the following day. In this manner I was told he continued acting for a moon.

DESCRIPTION AND SKETCHES ON BOTANICAL SUBJECTS.

Among the party who accompanied Major Peddie in the mission into the interior of Africa, was Mr. Kummer, who was charged to make collections in every department of natural history, with drawings and descriptions of whatever was most interesting in that line, as well as to keep a regular journal of general observations and events.

Many sketches of animals and plants, and several notes were made; but these are of such a nature as to require an examination of the specimens from which they were taken, before they can be valuable to a naturalist who is not previously acquainted with the subjects themselves. Unfortunately the individual articles were lost.

From the drawings, however, and descriptions, such as they are, we have selected four of the most perfect, which relate to as many plants, and which do not appear to us to have been noticed by former naturalists. In doing this however, we cannot help regretting the extremely imperfect state of the materials. Had all the collections of Mr. Kummer been saved, they might have formed a most important addition to our present unsatisfactory acquaintance with the natural history of Western Africa.

The plants alluded to were found between Cape Verga, at the mouth of Rio Nunez, and the establishment called Tingalinta.

It is with much pleasure I take this opportunity of acknowledging my obligations to Dr. Hooker, Professor of Botany, at the Glasgow University, for the following plates and their descriptions.

Tab. A.

ARUM APHYLLUM.
CLASS AND ORDER—MONŒCIA POLYANDRIA.
Natural Order—Aroideæ.

Gen. Char. Spatha monophylla, cucullata. Spadix supra nudus, inferne fœmineus, medio stamineus. Willd.

Arum aphyllum; spadice apice magno subgloboso rugoso spatha ovato-cucullata, breviore scapo aphyllo.

Hab. Locis mentosis saxosis Tingalinta. Fl. mense Februarii.

Radix, ut videtur, tuberosa.

Folia omnino nulla.

Bracteæ duæ, fere omnino subterraneæ, tres uncias longæ, lanceolatæ, membranæ, pallidæ, ad basin scapi.

Scapus palmaris ad spithamæus, parte superiore (2-3 uncias) e terra emergens, teres, glaber, succulentus, inferne fere albidus, superne roseus.

Spatha diametro 3 ad 4 uncias, ovato-ventricosa, obliqua, obtusa cum mucronula, marginibus involuta, basi etiam convoluta, pallide rosea, lineis saturationibus pulcherrime picta.

Spadix, basi, ubi flores inserti, cylindraceus, apice magnus (duas uncias latus) ovato-globosus, obliquus, carnosus, extus rugosus, intense roseus, intus spongeosus, albus.

Antheræ numerosæ, purpureæ, sessiles, apice loculis duobus horizontalibus dehiscentes, purpurescentes.

Pistilla sub antheras inserta, pauciora. Germen globosum, viride. Stylus breviusculus, purpureus. Stigma peltatum.

Fig. 1. Plant, natural size:—all below the line indicated by the letters a—b is subterraneous. Fig. 2. Front view of the spatha. Fig. 3. Spadix removed from the spatha. c., the circle of anthers, d. the circle of pistils. Fig. 4. Section of the spadix. Fig. 5. Anther. Fig. 6. Pistil, of which the germen is cut through vertically. The 5th and 6th figures are magnified.

Of this singular and beautiful plant I can find no description, yet it appears to be not uncommon in Senegal. The Jolofs, particularly in the country of Cayor, eat the root, when other and better kinds of nourishment fail them. They dry the root and boil it, thus employing heat to extract that poisonous juice with which all the individuals of this natural family are known to abound. It is not, however, eaten at Tingalinta, nor in the district of the Sousous where it is found in equal plenty.

G. Scharf Lithog:

Printed by C. Hullmandel.

Arum aphyllum.

(Large-size)

London. Pub^d. by J. Murray, Albemarle Street. 1825.

Tab. B.

TABERNÆMONTANA GRANDIFLORA.
CLASS AND ORDER—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Natural Order—Apocyneæ.

Gen. Char. Contorta. Corolla hypocrateriformis; tubus angulato-strictus, basi subglobosus. Folliculi 2, horizontales. Semina pulpæ immersa (Fol. opposita).

Tabernæmontana Africana, foliis ovato-lanceolatis oppositis, floribus axillaribus solitariis: tubo corollæ spiraliter torto, medio inflato.

Hab. Kacundy.

Arbor mediocris vel Frutex, ramis subdeclinatis.

Folia opposita, ovato-lanceolata, basi apiceque subalterneata, integerrima, glabra, nervosa, nervis parallelis.

Flores solitarii, axillares, versus apicem ramorum, pedunculati. Pedunculus longiusculus, crassus.

Calyx quinquepartitus, inferus, persistens; segmentis ovatis, obtusis.

Corolla hypocrateriformis, magna, speciosa, alba. Tubus spiraliter tortus, versis medium inflatus. Limbus quinquepartitus, segmentis oblongo-lanceolatis, obtusissimis planis, oblique tortis: ore nudo.

Stamina quinque, medio tubi inserta. Filamenta lata, tubo adherentia, marginibus ciliatis. Antheræ sagittatæ, flavæ, circa stigma conniventes.

Pistillum unicum, corollæ dimidio brevius. Germen duplex. Styli duo, filiformes, basi distincti, apice unito, paululum dilatati. Stigma incrassatum, subcylindraceum, basi dilatatum, apice quinquelobum, lobis erectis.

Pericarpium: Folliculi? vel potius baccæ duæ, ovato-rotundatæ, patentes, acuminatæ, basi calyce cinctæ, uniloculares, polyspermæ.

Semina plana, stricta, receptaculo centrali affixa.

Fig. 1. Branch, natural size. Fig. 2. Lower part of the tube laid open to shew the stamens. Fig. 3. Pistil. Fig. 4. Stigma. Fig. 5. Section of the upper part of the Style. Fig. 6. Fruit (natural size). Fig. 7. Section of the same. All but figures 1 and 7 more or less magnified.

This appears to be a very different species of Tabernæmontana, if indeed it really belongs to that genus, from any hitherto described. In the persistent calyx, this plant seems to depart from the character of Tabernæmontana, as it is defined by Jussieu; and also in the tube of the corolla, which is not inflated at the base, but near the middle, and is moreover singularly spirally twisted with deep furrows, if we may judge from the drawing.

G. Scharf Lithog:

Printed by C. Hullmandel.

Tabernæmontana grandiflora.

(Large-size)

Tab. C.

STROPHANTHUS PENDULUS.
CLASS AND ORDER—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Natural Order—Apocyneæ.

Gen. Char. Corolla infundibuliformis. Faux coronata squamulis decem, indivisis.

Limbi laciniæ candatæ. Stamina medio tubi inserta. Antheræ sagittatæ, aristatæ vel mucronatæ. Ovaria duo. Stylus unicus, filiformis, apice dilatato. Stigma subcylindraceum. Squamæ quinque, hypogynæ.

Strophanthus pendulus; foliis oppositis ovato-oblongis acutis, floribus pendulis, antheris aristatis.

Hab. Santo Fallo.

Caulis sarmentosus? cortice cinereo-fusca tectus.

Folia opposita, breviter petiolata, duas, tres uncias longa, unciam lata, oblongo-ovata, glabra, acuta, integerrima, juniora angustiora.

Flores in racemos parvos terminales, solitarii vel bini, penduli.

Pedunculus brevis, crassiusculus.

Calyx profunde quinquepartitus, laciniis ovato-lanceolatis, acutis, modice patentibus.

Corolla infundibuliformis, flava, limbo quinquepartito, laciniis longissimis, linearibus subundulatis; fauce coronata squamis quinque bipartitis, purpureis: segmentis lanceolato-subulatis subundulatis.

Stamina quinque, versus medium tubi corollæ inserta. Filamenta alba, breviuscula, curvata. Antheræ sagittatæ, basi intus stigmati adherentes, apice aristata.

Pistillum: Germen ovato-rotundatum, biloculare: Stylus filiformis, cylindraceus. Stigma incrassatum, cylindraceum, apice truncatum.

Fig. 1. Portion of a plant, natural size. Fig. 2. View of the mouth of the corolla and the nectary. Fig. 3. Stamen. Fig. 4. Two of the stamens, shewing the point of adhesion of the anthers with the stigma. Fig. 5. Back view of a stamen. Fig. 6. Front view of the same. Fig. 7. Section of the germen. All more or less magnified.

Of this plant Mr. Kummer has given but an unsatisfactory account, as he only saw the specimen from which the drawing was made, and which, in his journal, he says that the Cherif Sidi Mahommed (of Foota Jallo), procured for him.

This species of Strophanthus seems to offer a peculiar character in its drooping flowers. I am also unable to find that the remarkable circumstance of the anthers adhering by their base within, and being firmly attached to the stigma, is mentioned by any author as existing in other individuals of this curious genus.

Most of the species of Strophanthus inhabit equinoctial Africa. The S. dichotomus which is a native of China, is the only one of the genus, as far as I know, which has yet been introduced to our gardens. There is an excellent representation of it in the Botanical Register, tab. 469.

G. Scharf Lithog:

Printed by C. Hullmandel.

Strophantus pendulus.

(Large-size)

London. Pub: by J. Murray, Albemarle St^t. 1825.

Tab. D.

PTEROCARPUS AFRICANUS. GUM KARI.
CLASS AND ORDER—DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA.
Natural Order—Leguminosæ.

Gen. Char. Calyx quinquedentatus. Legumen falcatum, foliaceum, varicosum, ala cinctum, non dehiscens. Semina aliquot solitaria. Willd.

Pterocarpus Senegalensis; foliis pinnatis, foliolis ovalibus fructibus lunato-orbiculatis pubescentibus.

Hab. Prope Kacundy et aliis locis montanis, vulgaris. Fl. mense Decembri.

Arbor mediocris, ramis diffusis, cortice pallida.

Folia pinnata, decidua, foliolis ovalibus alternis integerrimis, glabris, superne nitidis nervosis, nervis parallelis approximatis, petiolis partialibus brevissimis.

Racemi compositi, terminales.

Flores numerosi, flavi. Pedicelli breves curvati, basi bractealis, bracteis parvis lanceolatis subulatis. Calyx quinquedentatus, pubescens, basi bracteis duabus parvis subulatis munitus; dentibus subæqualibus, duobus superioribus apice rotundatis, reliquis acutis. Corolla papilionacea, cito caduca. Vexillum rotundatum margine undulatum, basi breve unguiculatum, alis majus. Alæ carina majores. Carina foliolis distinctis. Stamina monadelpha tubo superne fisso, filamentis alternatim longioribus. Antheræ rotundatæ, flavæ. Pistillum staminum longitudine. Germen subovatum, pubescens, viride. Stylus filiformis, curvatus. Stigma simplex.

Legumen majusculum, compressum, in orbiculum curvatum, pubescens, monospermum.

Fig. 1. Flowering branch, after the leaves have fallen away. a. the red gum flowing from the wounded part. Fig. 2. Leaflet of the compound pinnated leaf. Fig. 3. Calyx. Fig. 4. Standard of the corolla. Fig. 5. One of the wings. Fig. 6. The Keel. Fig. 7. Bundle of Stamens. Fig. 8. Pistil. Fig. 9. Legumen. All but figures 1, 2, and 9, more or less magnified.

This plant loses its leaves in the month of November, and in December the flowers appear. The tree is known amongst the inhabitants by the name of Kari, affording one of the best kinds of Gum Kino. Where an incision is made, the juice flows out, at first of an extremely pale red colour, and in a very liquid state; but it soon coagulates, becoming of a deep blood red hue, and so remarkably brittle, that its collection is attended with some difficulty.