prejudice against the whole race of vermin: day after day had this unfortunate been persecuted, followed from shelter to shelter, and forced to resort to new hiding-places. evil hour for itself this wretched rat left the comparatively secure abyss of the hold, and appeared on deck. Its determined

In an

enemy, ever on the watch, soon discovered this movement, and made a desperate run at it. The only place of retreat near was a scupper-hole, into which the rat speedily bolted, but with such impetus, that it soon popped out at the other end and dropped overboard. It swam bravely, but a strong current carried it astern, where its struggles were quickly ended by the appearance on the stage of a large shark, which composedly swallowed it; seemingly as a mere whet to the appetite. At Lagos we were joined by the Rev. Mr. Crowther, who had come from Abbeokuta to join the expedition. Mr. Crowther was up the Kwóra in H. M. S. "Soudan," in 1841, and since that time has been one of the principal means of introducing into the Yoruba territory, his native land, a successful missionary establishment; one which has already been most fruitful in good results, and which promises to play a very important part in christianising this portion of Africa.

From Lagos the usual route for the mail steamers is to cross directly to Fernando Po, but on this occasion, to give the "Pleiad " more time to reach that island, Captain Barnwell determined first to visit Bonny, and the other rivers in the Bight of Biafra.

We, therefore, after rounding Cape Formoso, steered along shore, and steaming through the discoloured water, which, especially off the Nun, extends several miles out to sea, passed in succession the Nun, the St. John's or Brass, the San Nicholas, the Santa Barbara, the San Bartolomeo, and the Sombreiro, all mouths of the Kwóra, and by sunset were off the New Kalabar. As there was not time to reach the anchorage at Bonny before dark, we pushed on for Old Kalabar, and crossing the bar early next morning reached Duke Town by midday. Our stay here was very short, but I got on shore, and visited the Presbyterian Mission House, prettily situated on a rising ground to the southward of the town, where I made the acquaintance of the Rev. W. Anderson. From this spot there is a fine view of the neighbouring region. Immediately below is Duke Town, with the shipping lying off it. A little farther up is Old Town; while across the river, and at a distance of six or seven miles, is Creek Town, the residence of the principal native traders. On our departure, we were accompanied by the Rev. W. C. Thomson,* who was leaving for England. Those only who have themselves experienced the enervating influence of such a spot as Old Kalabar, can at all appreciate the sensation of pleasure with which he hailed the approach of the refreshing sea-breeze, the first time

I have especially to thank this gentleman for a kind donation of entomological specimens from Old Kalabar, which, besides their intrinsic value, will prove of great assistance when I come to examine my own collection of insects.

he had felt it for three years. It must indeed be a high sense of duty which can induce men to remain so long in such a depressing climate, and the sickly atmosphere of the swampy creeks of a tropical river. The distance from the sea to Duke Town has been variously estimated at from forty-five to sixty miles; the latter being that calculated from the latitude given in Beecroft and King's Chart of the Cross River. It is surprising that, although this distance is annually traversed by vessels of large burden, and with most valuable cargoes, no detailed survey of this river has been made, nor is there at present a reliable chart. Yet the channel is tortuous, sandbanks are numerous, and there is a dangerous bar at the mouth. As an instance of the value of British property at stake, I saw in the river a vessel of nearly 2500 tons' burden. When filled with palm oil, her cargo alone would be worth upwards of £100,000; which must run no little risk while being carried along this unexamined river. The only guide of any worth is a little book of directions, printed at the Missionary Press, and compiled by Captain Lewis, who knows the pilotage better than any man living. This, which to any one who has been once there, is most serviceable, from the want of a chart, is comparatively valueless to a person visiting the place for the first time.

The following morning we had a fine view of the high land of Fernando Po, and also, as the day progressed, of the lofty Camaroons mountain. This,

supposed to have been the Currus Deorum of Hanno, raises its volcanic head to more than 13,000 feet above the sea; whence it descends abruptly to the very edge of the water. Near its base, on the one side, the Rio del Rey and a smaller nameless stream enter the sea, whilst on its other are the outlets of the great Camaroons river. The next day while steaming down this river under the mountain, we were overtaken by a violent tornado. The rain descended in torrents, while the thunder reverberated in awful solemnity from the rugged chasms and frightful precipices above us. About four in the afternoon we reached Fernando Po, and rounding Point William were soon snugly at anchor in Clarence Cove. To our great disappointment, however, the "Pleiad " had not arrived, nor were there any tidings of her. H.M.S. "Crane," which was cruizing off the island, followed us in, and her commanding officer, Captain Thomas Miller, then senior naval officer in the Bights," desirous of being able to transmit home tidings of the expedition, sent a requisition to the Admiralty agent in charge of the mails to detain the packet until Wednesday, hoping that by that time the lost" Pleiad" might turn up.

The passage from Plymouth to Fernando Po, including calls at Old Kalabar and the Camaroons, was thus easily accomplished in thirty-two days. The Forerunner," though not a very comfortable vessel, was very quick; and, under the able management of Captain Barnwell, could do almost anything. It

was quite a pleasure to witness the neat way in which he handled her, especially in the intricate passages at the mouths of the rivers, up which too he was his own pilot.

At Clarence I found that the sad news of Mr. Beecroft's death, to which I have already alluded, was too true. From our anchorage we could see his lonely grave under a wide-spreading silk-cotton tree, on Point William; and, throughout the town, many a heart was still grieving over the loss of their kindhearted protector and friend. On examining the Admiralty instructions, I found that no actual provision had been made in the event of the decease of Mr. Beecroft, but being next to him in seniority, I resolved to continue the expedition, as I considered that, the preparations being so far advanced, and results of no little importance being expected, it would be wrong not to make the attempt. In this I was confirmed by the opinions of Captain Miller and of the acting Governor and British Consul, Mr. Lynslager, who both took a similar view of the case. I quite understood the responsibility I was undertaking, and felt fully that the expedition would start under very different auspices under the direction of such a junior officer as myself, new, moreover, to the climate and the country, from what it would have done if guided by the experienced judgment of the late governor. My anxiety on these points was greatly lessened by the volunteer offer of Mr. D. J. May, second master of the "Crane," who was most desirous of accom