I. The Bonny, anchorage off the town, lat by observation 4° 30′ long. by chronometer 7° 10', variation of compass 19°.*

The River Bonny has a wide entrance but is rather difficult of access to strangers, in consequence of two bars or necks of sand that cross in a south-east and north-west direction. From the western breakers to the Balour Bank there is a space of one mile and a half between the two bars, in which there is from 3 to 6 fathoms water.

II. Specify the particular part of the town, village, or anchorage, of which you have given the position, (2) and state the difference of longitude by the same chronometer between this and the place where it was last rated, (3) and the number of days that elapsed between the observations.

To anchor off the Bonny bring Fochee Point to bear by compass N.W., and Rough Corner N. E.; you will then be in 4 fathoms at low water. The anchorage is exceedingly good here (mud below a sandy surface). If you should wish to enter the Bonny and it is clear weather, keep Peter Fortis Point two ships' length open of Rough Corner, which will lead you over the first bar in 34 fathoms clear of the Balour Bank. Steering directly for Rough Corner after crossing the first bar keep Rough Corner two points open on your port bow, until you close Peter Fortis Point with Rough Corner, then steer directly for it and you will carry 3 fathoms over the inner bar, and you will afterwards have from 17 to 10 fathoms up to Bonny Town keeping the starboard shore onboard.

III. How long have you known this particular part of the coast? (2) during which months? (3) how long have you remained at any one time.

I have sailed eleven voyages to the Bonny during the last twelve years, and have been there at all times of the year, and have remained there seven months at one time: my last visit was in 1839.

IV. Mention the name of the nearest town or place of resort for shipping, in each direction along the coast; and, as nearly as you can, its distance, with the true or magnetic bearing. (2) Mention the same in regard to the nearest river, stating whether it is navigable for vessels or boats.

There are many places of resort for shipping; throughout the Windward Coast it is almost impossible to pass any without a canoe coming off to acquaint you where to anchor, but there is a general instruction throughout the Windward and Gold Coast to anchor with the towns bearing by compass from N. to N.N.E. I have not visited any of the rivers on the Windward or Gold Coast.

V. In what month does the rainy season generally begin? (2) and when end? (3) and whether about the beginning, middle, or end of the month? (4) what is the character of the weather immediately preceding it? (5) and the signs by which it shows its approach?

The rainy season commences about the beginning of June, and ends about the 1st of November; clouds and squalls from seaward precede the rains, and frequent heavy showers during the night, whilst the day is fine.

VI. Is there much variation as to the time of the commencement? (2) and end of the rainy season?

There is sometimes a month's difference in the commencement and also in the termination.

ages.

I think the position may be depended upon, as it is the result of many v

VII. Is the rainy season to which you allude, healthy or unhealthy? (2) and if the latter, what effect has it upon Europeans? (3) and what upon the Natives? (4) and which part of the rainy season is the least healthy ?

There are various opinions; I think healthy, if not much exposed. In cases of sickness during the rains the European is generally affected with dysentry. Upon the natives colds and intermitting fever. The most unhealthy part of the season is the beginning and the end.

VIII. Is it healthy or unhealthy after the rainy season is over, both in regard to Europeans, (2) and Natives? (3) and for what length of time is it so? (4) are fogs (usually called "the Smokes ") known or prevalent? (5) at what period? (6) what effect have they upon Europeans? (7) and what upon the Natives?

The season after the rains (say all November,) I consider unhealthy for Europeans; the Natives are not affected much. December is a healthy month throughout the coast. The fogs commonly called "smokes commence about the end of December, and continue with perhaps a few days intermission all January. I consider this season healthy; it has the effect of parching everything animate and inanimate. Fever is very prevalent amongst the Natives.

IX. Is there any other periodical rain during the year? (2) if so, when does it generally begin? (3) and when end? (4) and what effect has it upon the health of Europeans? (5) and the Natives?

The latter part of the rainy season is termed the "after rains," but the difference is undefinable. From my observations, this part of the season is very unhealthy for Europeans, and the contrary with the Natives.

X. What is the most healthy time of the whole year for Europeans? (2) and what for the natives?

During the months of December, January, and February, and for the Natives, February, March, April, May, and June.

XI. What is the most unhealthy time of the whole year for Europeans? (2) and what for the Natives? (3) in what manner is each affected at this time.

During the months of April, May, and November; and for the Natives January, July, August, September, and October, the European is affected with fever, and the Native (in January) with small pox, and during the rains with rheumatism, colds, and elephantis.

XII. What diseases prevail among Europeans during the different seasons of the year? (2) and among the Natives?

The fever prevails during the sickly months (before mentioned), and dysentry during the rains, and the Natives as before named.

XIII. Are there any places on the coast, within a few leagues of this, which differ materially from it in point of healthiness? if so, add a list, stating (1) whether they are more or less healthy, (2) and the probable cause of their being so?

Cameroons is considered much more healthy than perhaps any other river, in consequence of the land being much higher and clearer of wood.

XIV. During what month do tornadoes take place? (2) from what quarter do they blow? (3) in what months are they most frequent? (4) in what months most violent? (5) Is there any particular period of the moon's

age at which they take place? (6) Give a description of a tornado, its mode of cominencement and progress to its conclusion. (7) How long do they generally last?

Tornadoes take place during the months of March, April, and May, and blow from north-east. They are most frequent in April and May, and also most violent. They take place at change of moon, and are most violent at that period. A small bright cloud appears near the horizon, which in a short time extends itself, and becomes a dense mass of dark cloud, which rises very rapidly; at this time there is heavy distant thunder and lightning; it forms an arch a little time before it breaks forth, and comes so sudden, that if a vessel was not prepared, she would suffer very materially; it continues from one to four hours."

XV. During what months does the harmattan blow? (2) and from what point? (3) is it a healthy wind? if not, what are the probable causes of its unhealthiness? (4) Is it accompanied by fogs? (5) is it a cold or a hot wind?

The harmattan commences about the latter end of December, and continues until the beginning of February; it generally commences at north-east, and gradually draws to the south-east; it is considered healthy for Europeans but not so for the Natives. It is accompanied by fogs produced by very fine sand, which completely covers all that is exposed. It is very cold during the morning and evening, but hot during the

day.

XVI. During what months do land winds prevail? (2) do they continue throughout the twenty-four hours? (3) or do land and sea breezes blow alternately? if the latter, at what time of the day does each begin? (4) Does either the land or sea breeze cross any marshy land before arriving at the anchorage?

Land winds prevail during the months of February, March, April, May, June, November: and December; they commence about midnight and continue with a little variation until 8 A.M. The sea breeze sets in about noon and blows direct from sea. The land wind blows off all marshy land, there being little else but marshy land in this part of the country (Bonny).

XVII. During what months do fogs prevail? (2) are they unhealthy for Europeans? (1) or Natives?

The fogs prevail during January and February: I consider them healthy for Europeans and the contrary for the Natives.

XVIII. State the limits of the coast within which you consider the above remarks to be applicable in regard to the rainy and healthy seasons? (2) and the winds?

Throughout the Windward, Gold Coast, Bights of Benin and Biafra with little variation.

The wind during the fine season is from west to south-west, and during the rains from W.S. W. to south.

XIX. Fill up as correctly as possible the following Table, regarding the temperature and the prevailing winds and currents on this part of the coast, &c.

Roussin's Directions, and all the published directions of the African Coast contain a description of a Tornado: it is even to be found in Murray's Family Library.-P.D.

XX. Is the anchorage good? (2) what are the marks for it? (3) to what quarter is it open? (4) what is the depth of water? (5) what is the direction of the flood and ebb? (6) what is the time of high water at full and change? (7) what is its rise and fall? (8) if it is inside a river, state the nature of the bar, (9) how it lies by compass, (10) the depth upon it at low water at spring tides, (11) the marks for crossing the bar, (12) and its distance from the shore. (13) Are any hills or mountains visible from the anchorage? (14) If so, state their magnetic or true bearings, and how far distant, (15) and their general appearance, whether table, or peaked, or with rounded outlines; (16) and whether wooded, rocky, or otherwise? The anchorage off Bonny Town is very good, in 10, 12, and 14 NO. 9.-VOL. XX. 3 N

fathoms: there are no particular marks: it is open to the south-west: the flood on the Weather Bar, runs north-west, which is dangerous for vessels crossing with a light wind, as it sets directly upon the western breakers; the ebb on the same bar sets south-west which is directly over it: the flood over the east or lee bar runs W.N.W., three knots spring tides: the ebb runs over the same bar E.S.E. six knots: when on the lee bar, Rough Corner will bear by compass north: you will then have two and a half fathoms at low water spring tides on the lee bar, close under the breakers on the north-east spit of the Balour Bank. It is high water, full and change, at four hour on the bars and rises about ten feet. It must be observed that the water is at its highest one hour before the flood ceases.

There are two bars that intercept the weather passage, called the outer and inner. In the commencement of these queries I have given directions for crossing the bars in clear weather, when all marks are distinguishable; but a ship may get safe into the Bonny by giving the western breakers a berth of one mile, and steering round them, keeping in three fathoms until over the first bar and then in four, and so crossing the inner bar in a less 3 fathoms at low water: immediately after crossing the inner bar you will have 10, 14, and 17 fathoms: you may then approach as near to the Spit Bank as 10 fathoms, keeping it on your starboard hand, and steering round Jew-Jew Point, which is very low and covered with trees.

The directions for running down that part of the coast are to make Formosa, (improperly called a Cape), and approach so near as 7 fathoms, you will then be about five miles off shore: you will then keep in those soundings until off Rio Sombrero, when the water will shoal fast, and you must haul to the southward to avoid the western bank that extends as far west as Fochee Creek: proceed then to the south-east and anchor as directed off the Bonny.

XXI. What is the average length of passage from the English Channel to this port in a quick-sailing merchant ship? (2) How long is the homeward passage? (3) Give any information about making the port, (1) and the route taken on leaving it. (5) How near is the Island of Anno Bon passed on the homeward, (6) and cutward voyage ?

Six weeks is consdered a good passage: the homeward passage is much longer, ten weeks being considered a good passage: in making the Bonny, Fochee Point will be seen high and tapering to the water's edge, with a high solitary tree upon the top of it. In leaving the Bonny, you will proceed close hauled to the southward, say until you make Princes Island, then if the wind should incline to the southward, tack and stand to the westward, and you will find as you get to the westward, the wind will gradually veer more to the south: it will be seen from this route that the Island of Anno Bon, is not approached nearer than three degrees.

XXII. What is the general character of the coast-sandy, abrupt or shelving, rocky or in cliffs? (2) Is there much surf on the beach? (3) During what months can ships' boats embark and disembark men and provisions? (4) can canoes do so at all seasons of the year? (5) are canoes easily obtained for this or other purposes? (6) what is the length and