spiration is always much less during this month, and the five succeeding months, than during the other six months in the year. The mercury in the thermometer seldom rises above 80° in this month, the average height being about 75°.

10. During the months of July and August a great deal of rain also generally falls, but perhaps less in both these months than in the preceding one. There is always a short season of comparatively dry and very pleasant weather in one or both of these months. This season usually continues from three to five weeks, and generally commences about the 20th or 25th of July. Sometimes for several successive days the sun shines brilliantly and pleasantly all day, and no rain falls at night. The air, however, is always refreshingly cool and agreeable. This is perhaps the most pleasant time in the year. This is what is commonly called "the middle dries." It seems as if Providence has specially ordered this temporary cessation of the rains for the purpose of permitting the ripening and gathering of the crops of rice, which are generally harvested in August.

11. September and October are also generally very rainy months, especially the former. Sometimes more rain falls in September than in any other month in the year. Toward the close of October the rains begin to be less copious, and sometimes slight tornadoes appear, indicative of the cessation of the rainy season. The sea-breezes are usually very strong during these two months, and the atmosphere is generally uniformly cool and invigorating to the physical system.

12. During the month of November the weather is generally very pleasant, the temperature of the atmosphere being agreeable to the feelings-not so cool as during the five preceding months, and not so warm as during the five or six succeeding ones; the average height of the mercury in the thermometer being about 82. Frequent showers of rain usually fall in this month, both in the day and at

night, but generally they are of short duration. Slight tornadoes also generally appear in this month. The sun may usually be seen a part of every day in the month, and frequently he is not obscured by clouds during the whole of the time in which he is above the horizon.

13. December is also generally a very pleasant month. Occasional slight showers of rain fall during this month, sometimes several sprinklings in one day, but seldom for more than a few minutes at a time. The mornings in this month are peculiarly delightful. The sun usually rises with brilliancy and beauty, and the hills and groves, teeming with the verdure of perpetual spring, are enriched by the mingled melody of a thousand cheerful songsters. Nothing that I have ever witnessed in the United States exceeds the loveliness of a December morning in Liberia.

14. On the whole, I regard the climate of Liberia as decidedly pleasant, notwithstanding the scorching rays of the tropical sun, and the "abundance of rain" which falls during the year, especially in the months of June, July, September, and October. So far as the pleasantness of the climate and weather is concerned, I would decidedly prefer a residence in Liberia to one in any part of the United States.

15. The extremes of the thermometrical state of the atmosphere may be set down at 65° and 90°. I have never heard of the mercury in a good thermometer having sunk below the former, nor arisen above the latter point in the shade. The average height of the mercury during the rainy season may be set down at about 76°, and during the dry season at 84°. The mean temperature for the year is about 80°.

16. In regard to the comparative healthiness of the two seasons, I may state that my observations fully convinced me that the rainy season is more conducive to health than the dry season, in both new-comers and old settlers. In reference, however, to the acclimating process, I think that no great advantage can be gained by arriving at any par

ticular time of the year more than at any other time. Unnecessary exposure to the heat of the sun in the dry season, and to the rain in the wet season, should alike be avoided. Care and prudence should be exercised by newcomers at all times during the year.

CHAPTER VIII.

PRODUCTIONS.

1. NEARLY all the different kinds of grain, roots, and fruits, peculiar to intertropical climates, thrive well in Liberia; and many garden vegetables that belong more properly to temperate climates may be raised, in quality not much inferior to the same kind of articles produced in climates peculiarly adapted to their growth and maturation.

2. The only kind of grain, however, that has yet been cultivated to any considerable extent is rice, which is the great staple of intertropical Africa, and the principal article of food of the numerous aboriginal inhabitants. It is also used extensively by the Liberians; and it is undoubtedly the most wholesome article of food which can be used in that country. It is not cultivated very extensively by the Liberians, in consequence of their being able generally to purchase it more cheaply from the natives than the cultivation of it would cost. In consequence, however, of the increasing demand, it has of late years commanded a better price than formerly, which has induced some of the citizens to engage in raising it.

3. Until within the last few years, scarcely any persons attempted to raise it, but at present this valuable grain may be seen growing in the neighborhood of several of the settlements in Liberia. Although it grows much bet

ter in low, wet land, yet it thrives very well in land more elevated, such as will produce most other articles usually cultivated. It is generally sowed in April and harvested in August. Sometimes two crops may be made in one year, but generally only one is made. It yields so abundantly, that, notwithstanding the extreme indolence of the natives, who do not work on their farms three months in the year, they usually raise much more than they require.

4. Indian corn, or maize, will grow very well on some lands in Liberia; and although it does not thrive so well as in some parts of the United States, yet I am quite satisfied that it might be cultivated much more extensively in Liberia than it ever yet has been. I have seen some fine, large ears of corn that were raised on the St. Paul's River. The small-grained corn, usually called Guinea-corn, no doubt will grow well in Liberia (Guinea, whence its name), but strange to say, I seldom saw it growing there. The natives in the vicinity of the settlements seldom, if ever, raise it.

ocean.

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5. A variety of esculent roots may be raised in Liberia; the most common of which are the sweet potato, cassada, yam, and tania. Sweet potatoes may be raised in great abundance with very little labor, on almost every kind of land, at any time during the year. I have seen them growing freely in the sandy soil within fifty yards of the The poorest persons may easily have a sufficiency of this nutritious vegetable. Those raised in some parts of Liberia are very fine. They generally thrive better in the rainy season, especially on the high lands; but in some places they thrive very well in the dry season, especially on the flat land bordering on the rivers; and in many places they may be gathered during every month in the year from the same piece of land.

6. The cassada (as it is usually called, but perhaps more properly cassava) is a shrub which grows from four to eight feet in height, having several white fleshy roots covered with a coarse, rough skin. The stem of the shrub is

round and jointed, having numerous branches, which are furnished at the upper part with alternate leaves, divided into three, five, or seven acute lobes. The root, which is the only part that is used, arrives at perfection in from nine to fifteen months. The roots vary in size from six to eighteen inches in length, and from three to eight in circumference. In taste, when not cooked, it very much resembles that of a fresh chestnut.

7. This vegetable may be raised abundantly on any kind of soil. It is the only vegetable, except rice, that is cultivated to any extent by the natives. It is usually prepared for use by being boiled, after the skin or rind has been removed, or by being roasted in ashes; and when properly cooked it is very palatable and nutritious. The tapioca of the shops is the fecula of the root of the cassada.

8. The yam is a slender, herbaceous vine, having large tuberous roots, sometimes nearly round, but generally elongated, like the cassada, but much larger. The roots of the yam are sometimes three feet long, and weigh twenty or thirty pounds. They usually arrive at perfection in four or five months, and yield very abundantly. The root of the yam is more farinaceous or mealy, when cooked, than that of the cassada-almost as much so as the Irish potato. They are more digestible than the cassada, and I think more palatable. The yam is one of the most wholesome and nutritious esculent roots of any country, and it may be produced in any desired quantity in Liberia.

9. Tania is a delicate, broad-leafed plant, about two feet in height, having a bulbous root, which, when prepared like Irish potatoes, resembles those excellent vegetables very nearly in taste; and it is a very wholesome and nutritious article of food. It may be raised easily and abundantly.