, 1889-02-27

4uG UhI vi ULL0 CIN0E Lu6N OC-~dS lu tH0
case of Old Calahar and Bonny-so deep
as to be without danger, or it may DO re-
latively shallow, as at OpObO or AkaSa,
but in all cases it is to be presumed that
the vessel destined to cross ii docs not OK.
coed the limired draught, aud is properly
steeted according to the chart, and con-
sequently incurs NJ danger. Once over
tue bar and Within the estuary. We find
ourselves surrounded 10y q iAke,like ex-
panse of smooth water, the shores of
which are fringe0 with lofty mangroves
with their CHASTITY white, blood .streaked
trunks-Atreaked where the bark has been
torn or ~frayed-and their graceful poplar
like foliage of u sad, dull, yellOw-green.
Behind the mAngrOVeS, however, general
" show the dark and dense masses of i'll.
land forest. growing where the land has
acquired firmneSS aud lies just above the
limits of high tide or as FAR as you Gan
see from the ships deck, all and every
thing that is not yellow water may be un.
varying mangrOve.
The mangrove in West Africa is u tree
that, taken by itself, is rather picturesque
and stately it is the weariSOme monoto-
nv and want of variety of it's extensive
forests that form such u depressing aspect.
AS you ascend the river further and fur.
Their from the sea the mangrOVe loses it's
exclusive possession OF the shores, even 1t
this possession be not here and there bro
ken by little iSletS OF firm land covered
with varied vegetation, and generally the
sites of villages. Almost before the wa
ter has ceased to be brAcklSh, the pandb-
hus or screw pine begins to DUST the man.
grove, and below it's fantastic wlIorlS Of
spinv leaves the 10 .ely LisSocili!uS orchids
.-, 49,. hl..- ,n,.A As~ifb Fh,tr lnA ans
and rear their stout aDwer.atemS to IL
height Of 6 or 7 feet. Tne effect OF thtic
MASSES of mauve-crimSrh golden centred
blossoms, each one nearly the size Of II
child'S and. standing ont against the vivid
spinach green OF the pandanuS, is very
striking.
AT some spot where there is u stretch OF
clean white sand and firm soil emerging
from the mud, YOU may distinguish -
landing. place of some native village, which
is usually characterised by IL strip Of va
ried forest, mingling with the linSellnG
pandamuS and mangrOVp. Possibly tins
il Some little inlet or bay, protected from
the strong waveletS created by the sea-
breczeS, which are liable to disturb the
equilibrium Of the natives ctIoc. The
shore OF the sandy beach is bright with the
crimson flowers Of The tail cannaS. The
U~ativeS' canoes are drawn up 10 the limit
Of the high tide, aud fastened To stakes.
The village will probably lie SIme quarter
of ~ mile inland, and DO embowered III Eek.
ub1rant forest. The houses will he poor,
ramShackle structures Of palm Frnlda, and
their inhabitants timil, nakAd f1her.fhlk,
possessing u few fowls. goats, and NANCY
dogs.
Rrsuning the ascent of the river, though
the banks still continue marShv. the now
perfectly fresh water enables - varIe'l tor
est to replace the mangrove AMI panda.
nus, and here perhaps the most cxtrAvA.
giant development of vegetation may be
seen, recalling past geological epocls
rather than the poor and meiliocre aspects
of nature at the present time. This mag
niRcent development of equatorial forest
scenery is almost confined to tho valley OF
the AmazOnS, the West coast of Africa,
and a few portions the Malay ArchipeIa-
go, and has been most aptly described III
the language, now classical, OF our esteem
cd Secretary, Mr.. Bates, in that most
delightful work The Naturalist on the
Amazons. Here, walls of forest rise
100 to 200 feet into the air from the
marslly shore. There is every type
of foliage and every shade of green. At
the base of the forest on the water.
line grow great Arums of the genus Cyr-
t0spermG, with flower Spathes of pale green
streakel with purple.red. Above the A.
runs CLEAN out The white briIcts OF II spe'
cin9 of HuSSnenfn while higher uD another