ACCLIMATISATION OF PLANTS. 419 have just written to Kabréga for coffee to try at Agari (4000 feet).

In my own interest, I shall use every endeavour to cultivate the various species of bamboo sent me, and I will let you know which kind thrives best. J have just received a collection of vegetables from M. Marquet and other friends in Khartum. We grow all the vegetables which exist in the Sudan, as well as Colocasias, sweet potatoes, Helmia bulbifera, two kinds of Dioscorea, four kinds of Phaseolus, and sugar-cane. Melons do not grow well; water-melons, on the contrary, thrive splendidly, especially a kind sent me from Darfur, which we plant in the kharif, and which the rain does not harm.

Although I am afraid of wearying you, I will once more © return to the two points I have already mentioned. In the first place, send me somebody. I certainly do not advise you to send a scientific expedition consisting of several members ; I do not wish such an expedition, for reasons not far to seek. What I do want is an explorer well up to his work, and not too proud to take a practical hint now and then. Good intro-_ductions from the Egyptian Government are necessary for Khartim. JI will defray the cost up here. Secondly, would not the introduction of Chinese settle the slave-trade once and for all? Think over this matter carefully, and write me about it; I do not think that the proper methods have been yet followed or the proper measures taken. I should be sorry to pose as a critic, but I have had the opportunity of thoroughly learning the needs of this country.

And now my hearty greeting, and again a thousand thanks for all your interest and courtesy. Your sympathy is a great help to me in my difficult task.