Chapter XI: Appendix: A (1)

The reader’s attention is called to the following note from “Buxton on the Slave-trade,” London, 1839, in connection with the accompanying notice of trees, shrubs, and plants to be found on the Zambesi:—

“Many beautiful kinds of wood have been discovered by accident amongst the billets of fire-wood brought home in the slave-ships of Liverpool. Mr. Clarkson gives the following anecdote in his ‘Impolicy of the Slave-Trade.’ After mentioning the tulip-wood, and others found in this manner, he says:—‘About the same time in which this log was discovered (A.D. 1787), another wood vessel, belonging to the same port, brought home the specimen of the bark of a tree that produced a very valuable yellow dye, and far beyond any other ever in use in this country. The virtues of it were discovered in the following manner:—A gentleman resident upon the coast ordered some wood to be cut down to erect a hut. While the people were felling it he was standing by; during the operation some juice flew from the bark of it, and stained one of the ruffles of his shirt. He thought that the stain would have washed out, but, on wearing it again, found that the yellow spot was much more bright and beautiful than before, and that it gained in lustre every subsequent time of washing. Pleased with the discovery, which he knew to be of so much importance to the manufacturers of Great Britain, and for which a considerable premium had been offered, he sent home the bark now mentioned as a specimen. He is since, unfortunately, dead, and little hopes are to be entertained of falling in with this tree again, unless a similar accident should discover it, or a change should take place in our commercial concerns with Africa.

“I shall now mention another valuable wood, which, like all those that have been pointed out, was discovered by accident in the same year. Another wood vessel, belonging to the same port, was discharging her cargo; among the barwood a small billet was discovered, the colour of which was so superior to that of the rest, as to lead the observer to suspect that it was of a very different species, though it is clear that the natives, by cutting it off the same size and dimensions, and by bringing it on board at the same time, had, on account of its red colour, mistaken it for the other. One half of the billet was cut away in experiments. It was found to produce a colour that emulated the carmine, and was deemed to be so valuable in the dyeing trade, that an offer was immediately made of sixty guineas per ton for any quantity that could be procured. The other half has been since sent back to the coast, as a guide to collect more of the same sort, though it is a matter of doubt whether, under the circumstances that have been related, the same tree can be ascertained again.” P. 9.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS TREES, BUSHES, HERBS, AND PLANTS of a Medicinal character to be found about the town of Tete; with an account of the application which the natives of the country make of them, for the mechanical uses of life, and in the treatment of the diseases to which they are subject:—

The town of Tete is situated sixty leagues N.W. of the town of Seña, which is also sixty leagues from the town of Killimane, built on the northern mouth of the river Zambesi, which discharges itself into the Indian Ocean on the east coast of Africa.[9]

TREES.

_Muxetéco_, or root of St. Augustine, as it is called at Mozambique.—The flower of this tree, which blooms in the months of November and December, is small, of a yellow colour, and sweet scented. It produces pods of the colour of cinnamon, more than two and a half spans in length; the beans inside are of the size of the tamarind stone. These pods, after being dried, are used for torches by the natives when entering caves in search of the porcupine. An infusion of the bark of the tree is applied in cases of indigestion, toothaches, colics, vomits, and also as a healing wash for wounds. It is used to promote menstruation.

_Mucorongo._—This tree is called jambalaõ in Inhambane. The flower is white, round, and like that of the mangoe-tree, or elder-tree. From the fruit both wine and vinegar are made. Its fruit, which is eaten, is like that of the olive of Elvas, in Portugal; and, when ripe, it is the colour of red wine. The juice of the fruit is also of the same colour. A decoction of the root used in a hip bath is a remedy for hemorrhoids, and checks purgations (anti-cathartic?) Cut up into small pieces and strung on a thread, like beads, it is worn round the neck, as a remedy for ophthalmia.

_Mutarára._—This tree is found principally in the sand-hills of Muxem. The flower is very small, and of the same colour as the leaves. The fruit is of the size of the Agriote (sour cherry), and of a yellow colour, when ripe and fit to be eaten; the skin is very coarse, the seed round, and the colour of red-wine. A decoction of the root is used for rinsing the mouth, as a cure for toothache. The stems being straight and elastic, the negroes use them in making those bows which they call Uta.

_Mupanda-panda._—A decoction of the root of this tree, made into pulp, is applied in the shape of a poultice, as a remedy for chest diseases.

_Chirussa._—The flower is yellow, and similar to that of _casula cheirosa_. The fruit is like the apple-seed. By rubbing the body with the dried leaves heated, a copious perspiration is produced, which arrests fever. A decoction of the bark pounded is used in a hip-bath, as a remedy for tenesmus.

_Mutacha._—The flower is small, and of the colour of the dried rose. The fruit is very sweet, and of the size of the small olive; when ripe it assumes a yellow colour, and it is then fit to be eaten. When dry the bark is reduced to flour, and mixed with the flour of Indian corn; it is then used as a poultice. A decoction of the bark is used for rinsing the mouth, as a cure for toothache. A decoction of the bark, when drank, is a remedy for hemorrhage of the smaller veins. A decoction of the bark and the root is used as a cure for hernia.

_Tussi_, called by the natives of India “Curo.”—The fruit of this tree is in the form of very long pods, within which there is a species of cotton or down. The natives of the country and Banyans attribute to it the same effects and virtues as cinchona, and therefore give a decoction of the bark to those who have fever, which is also used as a healing wash for wounds.

_Mupumpua._—The root of this tree is applied as a cure for bubos and gonorrhœa, by drinking the water in which it has been steeped.

_Goóo._—The flower is small and yellow. The fruit is the size of a small grain, and in clusters. The negroes use this fruit in proving cases of feiticeros (witchcraft), for which purpose they pound the peel, mix it with cold water, then strain it; and after it has assumed a darkish shade they add a portion of boiling water, making it just drinkable. Two, three, and even five gamellas (bowls) full are given to drink to the person under trial. Should it act as a purgative the accused is pronounced guilty, and punished as a feitecera. On the other hand, if it acts as an emetic, the accused is acquitted. This judicial proof is called by the negroes Muavi or Lucasse.

_Mutóa._—This tree is the height of an orange-tree. The leaves are long. The bark resembles that of the cork-tree in colour and thickness. A species of milk is extracted from the trunk and branches by making an incision. The wood is very oily, and the Cazembé and the Regulos Maraves use it cut up into lengths like candles, which they use as lights.

_Nhamucu-ucúu._—The bark of this tree, reduced to powder and used in the way of snuff, is an efficacious remedy for giddiness; and the same effect is caused by a decoction of the leaves, when applied to the head as a sudorific.

_Musequesse._—The leaf of this tree resembles that of the vine. The full-grown leaves are applied to heal wounds; and an infusion of the young leaves is used in chest complaints. The bark is thick, and very much cracked; it resembles that of the Goóo, and an infusion of it is drunk as an antidote for the Goóo prepared for the Muravi or Lucasse.

_Mudáma._—The flower is of a white colour; leaves rough, large, and stiff. The juice of the leaves mixed with cold water, when drunk, is an efficacious remedy for the diarrhœa, with which Europeans are attacked in that country.

_Mupubuzo._—The branches and the trunk of this tree are covered with large and thick prickles. The negroes use the root to give the vermilion colour to threads, cords and straw, with which they braid their hair.

_Muziquezi._—It is called in Inhambane Mafurreira, and the fruit of it is called Mafurra. This tree is very lofty, shady, and fragile. The flower is small, white, and similar to that of the elder-tree. The leaves are long and narrow. The fruit is in clusters, and of the size of a small fig; it has a strong rind, covered with down; when ripe it splits of itself, and lets out a seed of a black colour, with vermilion eyes, from which oil and tallow are extracted. The bark, when bruised in either hot or cold water, assumes the colour of milk, with which the natives season their food and make poultices. The tallow is used for curing erysipelas, by anointing with it the inflamed part.

_Mucuiu._—Is that which in sacred history is called the sycamore tree. The tree itself, and its mode of fructification, resemble the fig-tree, with this difference—that the fruit is smaller, and indigestible. The water in which its root has been steeped, when drunk, cures colics and palpitation of the heart. The powder of the root, dried in the sun, mixed with any liquid, produces the same effects.

_Canunca-utare._—Its roots are orange colour, and have the property of driving away snakes by the pungency of the smell, for which purpose they are used.

_Mucuniti._—The flower is like that of the lemon-tree, with the difference of being long. The fruit is round and small. The wood is of a purple colour, and is most excellent for cabinet work. It is very sweet-scented, and the roots more so.

_Fundi._—This is a species of palm-tree. The leaves are long and narrow like grass, with lines running the length of them. The leaves are used for making brooms and brushes. In Zumbo the Caffres use the leaves to stop the leaks in their vessels.

_Mussonzóa._—The fruit of this tree is like the gall-nut, with this difference, that it has no prickles upon it. It produces the same effects. The Caffre women use it for dyeing cloth a black colour, in the following manner:—The fruit is well pounded, and gradually mixed up with a kind of black earth, known to them, which has in it particles of copper. It makes a very black fixed dye. Poultices made of the roots are applied in cases of hernia, which it cures very quickly.

_Mussio._—The nature of this tree is very much like that of the acacia in leaf, spines, and flower, with the difference of not being scented. It produces a species of bean called quissio, which the natives use in the same way as the fruit of the Mussonzóa. As these beans are very astringent, wounds are washed with the water in which they have been steeped.

_Mutengueni_, called by the natives of India “_Nino_.”—This bush, which flourishes in the months of November and December, has a small white long flower, which, when it opens, presents the fruit called Tengueni, which is the size of an almond. When ripe and fit to be open, it is of a vermilion colour; it is very acid, and the oil which is extracted from it is used for softening skins, and also for reducing tumors. The leaves reduced to powder, and mixed with the juice of the lemon, are a cure for troublesome ulcers; and the juice of the leaves when taken as a drink destroys intestinal worms.

_Cangóme._—The flower and fruit of this bush are like that of the Mocha coffee. The fruit serves as food for the negroes in time of famine, by boiling it, when green, three or four times, and mixing with it, in the last boiling, some ashes to remove the bitter taste. The powder of the root, when dried, or of the bark when fresh, is used to cure contusions, by laying it over the part affected. An infusion of the bark is used for the cure of sores of long standing, for which a powder of the root is also used.

_Canémbe-Numbe._—The flower is yellow, and resembles much that of the Muxetero. It has no aroma. The fruit is in pods of half a palm in length, which are eaten when tender. An infusion of the root is a strong diuretic.

_Catungúro._—The flower is a bright yellow, and resembles tassels of fringe. The fruit, when ripe, is the colour and size of the lemon. The root is of the consistency of the common potatoe; when cut into pieces, dried in the sun, and reduced to powder, it is applied to the cure of bubos. Bubos are also cured by washing them with an infusion of the root when it is fresh. The leaves pounded are used in the cure of wounds caused by blows; and the boiled leaves applied to the head, as a sudorific, are a cure for mistiness and cataracts of the eyes. Also, the root when fresh, pounded, and thrown into a lake, destroys all the fish in it.

_Tindinhava Sensitiva._—The flower forms first a small bud like the pine-apple, of the size of a small seed, which gradually opens, and forms a suspiro of a brown colour, having the tops of the stamens of a pale green colour. The fruit is in pods, flat, of two inches in length, or a little less, snuff-coloured, and covered with down. It is found near brooks, and on banks of rivers. On touching the leaves, they contract as far as the tremour of the touch extends. The root is very soft, and when tied over an inflamed part of the body it removes the swelling. Baths of the bark pounded and boiled are used for erysipelas.

_Mutava-Nherere._—The name of Nhere which this bears implies that it is persecuted by ants. The flower is yellow, similar to that of the ganalinho. The fruit is the size of the mad-apple. They grow in clusters. The leaves pounded are applied in cases of pleurisy, when they act as a blister. A decoction of the roots is applied in hip-baths as a remedy for diarrhœa.

_Mutavan-sato._—The flower is similar to that of the apple-tree. The fruit is small, and always surrounded by leaves. The juice of the leaves, mixed with water and taken daily, cures diseases of the spleen. An infusion of the root is used to rinse the mouth, as a cure for toothache.

_Buaze._—The flowers of this bush are small, and of the form of guergelin. These flowers swell like the pepper of India. The leaves are small. The seed is properly linseed, both in size, colour, and form. The negroes make use of the thread which it gives to form their fishing, hunting, and bird-nets. In short, it has a perfect resemblance to the flax which is manufactured in Europe.

_Mudia-coro._—Mudia signifies “that which eats;” coro, “macaca,” monkey. The leaves are white on the under side, as if they had been sprinkled with lime or ashes. The root is used by the negroes, either by chewing it, infusing it, or by drying it in the sun, and reducing it to powder, when it is mixed with their pombe. It has the same effect as cantharides, and is taken internally for the same purpose.

_Titifiti._—This bush is to be found in marshy places, upon the banks of rivers and rivulets. The leaf resembles that of the carmagasuro, and it is very aromatic. Of it, and of other herbs and plants, a decoction is made and applied in hip-baths to those who suffer from tenesmus. A decoction of the leaf is used as a sudorific, and produces a very copious perspiration. The root cut in small pieces, and worn about the neck like beads, is a remedy for nervous attacks. And for greater efficacy in this respect the bedroom ought to be fumigated with the root and leaves of this bush.

_Capande._—The flower is small, and inclining to purple in colour. The seed is of the size of the agriote, and similar to the fruit of the matarara. The Caffres use this bush as a muavi (an oath of judicial proof among them), prepared in the same manner as the goóo, which also is muavi among them, as already stated. An infusion of the root is applied to the fever itáca—causing a copious perspiration—having a very beneficial effect. The powder of the root, dried in the sun, is used as snuff, giving great relief in severe colds.

_Enteca._—This is the same as capande in its characteristics and its effects.

_Carangasúro._—This herb has a yellow flower similar to camomile. A decoction of it is as a sudorific in a hip-bath to those who suffer from tenesmus. Mixing it with the herb cacici, or escorcioneira, and with the roots of the bush capande, and applying the mixture as a sudorific, fever is alleviated.

_Cacici camuzuqua_, or _escorcioneira_.—There are two qualities of this herb—one large, the other small. The flower is yellow, and very minute in proportion to the size of the leaves. It resembles the saffron of Portugal. The fruit is of the size of a small bead. A decoction of the leaves is applied as a sudorific to the head in cases of headache. The bark of the root, boiled along with the root of wild endive, and drunk, arrests fevers in their progress towards the malignant stage. A simple decoction of the root is applied to tertian fevers; and, when mixed with that of the root of the mucoronga, is applied in cases of complicated gonorrhœa.

_Cacici camuzuqua pequena_, or _escorcioneira menor_.—By anointing the body with a decoction of the root of this herb, mixed with the filings of ivory, orange peel, and leaves of the orange-tree, pounded, fever is destroyed.

_Avenca._—A plant well-known among the negroes, but it does not seem to be made any use of by them.

_Munhaze._—The leaves are oily and sticky. The negroes use the root in the composition of the oil of Friar Pedro, which has the property of drawing the poison out of a wound made by a poisoned arrow.

_Uombue._—This herb has broad leaves like a gourd, but at the same time long and very hairy. It produces a potatoe very large, which, when pounded and thrown in water where fish are, destroys them. A poultice of the root pounded, applied to pleurisies, destroys the pain.

_Casuzumire._—It is a very small herb like mint. A decoction of it used in baths is a remedy for hemorrhoids and diarrhœa.

_Cacumate._—This herb has the appearance of the claws of the sparrow-hawk when dead. A decoction is applied to intermittent fevers, and fevers produced by fatigue. The negroes place it in vessels in which their young animals drink, through a superstition which they have, that the leaves being shrunk and similar to the claws of the sparrow-hawk, their young birds or poultry which drink this water will never be taken by the kite, sparrow-hawk, or any other bird of prey.

_Mudossua; figueiro do inferno_ (the fig-tree of Hell, Palma Christi.)—The flower of this plant is large, white, and funnel-shaped. The fruit like the poppy of Amphiaõ, with the difference of having spines or prickles like the pipons of St. Gregory (wild cucumber). It is always in leaf, and the leaves are applied entire as plasters in the cure of scalds. They have the property of eating away corrupt flesh. From the kernel of the poppy an oil is extracted, which, mixed with any liquid, produces sleep. In short, it produces the same effect as laudanum.

_Bange, é o canamo de Portugal_ (the hemp of Portugal).—The negroes, at the time this plant begins to wither, collect it, stalk by stalk, and make it into bundles. They smoke it through water, and then drink the water through which the smoke has passed, which immediately acts as an emetic. The natives of the interior cultivate it in their villages; and there are some, as the Morenges, who smoke it with a mixture of tobacco, long pepper, and galinhaça, which makes them very nervous. The smoke of the leaves and seed received into the eyes cures _belida_, or web, that grows over the eye.[10]

_Conge._—This plant is what in Brazil is called Pita. The negroes of Muzezuro, a part of the interior where gold is found, work it into thread to make clothes for covering themselves, and the Zimbas, a people of Zimbave, as also the Caffres, make nets of it for hunting and fishing.

_Inhafoncori._—This plant grows in stems, or stalks, straight and scaly. The leaves are very small, and resemble those of purslane; although dry, when made into an infusion they recover their green colour. An infusion of it is employed for pectoral diseases.

_Carúco-ruco._ The flower is small, and of a light yellow colour. The fruit is always in pairs, and similar to the fruit of the panheira. After it is ripe it opens and gives out a yellow down, which is a species of cotton. The two parts of the shell of the fruit remain like two spoons, hence the name “carúco-ruco,” which signifies “small spoons.” The root when dried in the sun is made into a powder, and is used as a remedy for venereal sores, by sprinkling it over them. A decoction of the root is used for rinsing the mouth as a cure for toothache.

_Combe._—This climbing plant has a long fruit, more than a span in length; it has a strong shell like an almond. The fruit grows in pairs, and the interior of the fruit contains small beans; and in the spaces between the beans there is a kind of small hair, which, combined with the said beans and reduced to powder, is mixed with the gall of the alligator and that of the cobra capella; this mixture is employed to poison arrows and lances. This poison is so powerful that when any animal is wounded with an arrow or lance prepared with this poison, it dies in less than half an hour, through the subtilty of the poison, which immediately passes through every part of the body, leaving the injured part quite black.

_Mupessa._—A wild fig-tree, the fruit of which is somewhat acid, and of a purple colour. A decoction of the root is applied to the cure of pleurisy, by drinking it; also by placing on the part affected the root boiled and softened in vinegar. The same decoction is also employed to reduce apostumes; swellings caused by falls; to expel after-births; to remove the pains of colics; and also for gonorrhœa.

_Mutubzi._—The flower is round, and of a yellow colour. The fruit is flat, and one bean only. A decoction of the flower is applied in cases of tenesmus, flux, &c. It is also used as a sort of gruel for sick people. This plant has an insufferable smell.

_Abutua._—The root of this creeping plant, made into pombe, is given as a drink to those who have received injuries from severe falls. The same pombe heated is applied as a plaster over the inflamed part.

B.

TIMBER TO BE FOUND IN EASTERN AFRICA, MADAGASCAR, AND THE SEYCHELLES.

List of specimens of Woods from the River Zambesi, to be seen at the rooms of the Royal Geographical Society, 15, Whitehall-place:—

1. _Inhampásse._—Planks six feet long, eight inches broad, and three inches thick, may be procured.

2. _Pingué—ou Páo preto_ (beautiful wood)—Six feet in length, and six inches square.

3. _Mocua._—About fourteen feet in length, eight to ten inches square; and, from its being forked, is peculiarly adapted for knees and futtocks in ship-building.

4. _Imbila._—From fifteen to eighteen feet long, twelve inches square; a very flexible wood for ship-building purposes.

5. _Muramanhâma._—About eighteen feet in length, twelve inches square, and bright red in colour.

6. _Mocunca._—Fifteen to eighteen feet in length, eight to ten inches square; grows crooked, and well adapted for the tiers of wheels.

7. _Mocôzo._—From thirty-five to forty-five feet in length, three to four feet square; this wood is of a canary colour, which dyes cotton, silk, and wool that colour, without any other preparation than by simply pouring boiling water on it.

8. _Mucunite_—Or sandal wood; planks six to eight feet in length, and eight inches broad, but the greater part of it is not straight.

9. _Pumburo._—This is a sort of shrub, which does not exceed the thickness of one’s arm, including the white part which surrounds the heart, from which a colouring matter, gold colour, is extracted; and from the white part a canary colour, by simply infusing in water, is given to silk, cotton, and wool.

10. _Peám._—Eighteen feet long, sixteen inches square.

11. _Mussangara._—Twelve feet long, not very straight, ten inches square.

12. _Taxa._—Twenty feet in length, twenty inches square.

13. _Mocundo-cundo._—Thirty-six feet in length, three to four feet square; well adapted for vessels’ masts; the bark of this tree supplies quinine, and from the wood also quinine may be extracted.

14. _Mucorongo._—Eighteen feet long, twelve inches square.

15. _Raiz de Pingué on Páo-preto._—This is the root of the Páo-preto or Pingué (beautiful wood) (No. 2), which is adapted for cabinet-work.

16. _Monangare._—Fifteen feet long, fifteen inches square, not very straight, but adapted for block-making and wheelwrights.

17. _Mocossocossa._—Eighteen feet long, twenty inches square; adapted for joiner’s work, and takes a high polish.

18. _Páo-ferro._—Iron-wood, twenty-four feet long, eight inches square; well adapted for furniture, takes a high polish, and is suitable for tree-nails in ship-building, and wherever it can be substituted for iron.

19. _Páo-ferro Mais escuro._—Iron-wood, of a darker quality; dimensions as No. 18.

20. _Panguira._—Thirty feet in length, straight, twenty inches square; well adapted for ship-building and beams of houses.

21.—_Páo-fava._—Twenty-two feet in length, straight, twelve inches square at least.

22. _Meterral._—Twenty-four feet in length, straight, twelve inches square.

23. _Mugunda._—Forty to sixty feet long, straight, from three to six feet square; well adapted for ship-building.

24. _Morrondo._—Fifteen feet long, two feet square; adapted for ship-building.

25. _Moáno._—Fifteen feet long, twelve inches square; generally straight.

26. _Luabo._—Twelve feet long, and ten inches square.

In addition to the above specimens of wood brought home by me, Dr. Livingstone has found teak, or African oak, as well as lignum-vitæ, on his way up to Tete.

LIST OF WOODS TO BE FOUND ON THE ISLAND OF MADAGASCAR.

Red Tacamaca, ninety feet long; Colofan, of great length. Red Tacamaca and Colofan are impervious to the Teredo Navalis, and they may both be easily obtained, and in any quantity, on the north-east end of Madagascar.

The Bois de natte.

The Faux gaiac.

Sandal-wood and ebony—also a very valuable wood; iron and steel instruments inserted in which will not corrode.

On the west side of Madagascar, from Bombatok to the north, opposite Nossi-Bé, rosewood and ebony abound.

NOTES ON THE WOODS OF THE SEYCHELLES.

Specimens of which are to be seen at the rooms of the Royal Geographical Society, 15, Whitehall-place.

Tacamaca red; tacamaca white.

The bois de natte, both descriptions—the large and the small leaf.

Olive-wood.

The faux gaiac, which is as strong and durable as iron.

Sandal-wood; bonnet carré; l’arbre à pommes de suisse; ebony; rosewood; the filao; le badinier; le ledanier; le var; le rima; the white acajou; l’ontelier; le capucin; l’arequier; l’arbre fougère; and the vacoa.

Many of these trees are of great grandeur, and of immense size.

With tacamaca canoes are made in one piece, twenty-four, thirty, and thirty-six feet in length, and five to six feet beam.

Many vessels have been built at these islands; see the report on the “Thomas Blyth.”

“Admiralty, 19th February, 1859.

“SIR,—In pursuance of the directions of the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty, I transmit herewith a copy of a report,
dated the 11th instant, from the timber-inspector at Woolwich
Dock-yard, on the specimens of woods from the Zambesi, the
Seychelles, and Madagascar, presented by you to the Royal
Geographical Society; and, with reference to the specimens
numbered in the enclosed Report, 12, 17, 21, and 22, from the
Zambesi, and 17, 18, and 19 from Seychelles, I have to request
you will state, after being so obliging as to confer with me
on the subject, what steps you would recommend should be taken
for obtaining a supply of these descriptions of timber, and for
conveying the same to England.—I am, Sir, your humble servant,

“R. DUNDAS,
“Storekeeper-General of the Navy.

“TO LYONS M’LEOD, ESQ., Late H.M. Consul at Mozambique.”

* * * * *

“Woolwich Dock-yard, Feb. 11, 1859.

“SIR,—I have the honour to report, that, in obedience to
your order of the 2nd instant, I visited the rooms of the
Royal Geographical Society, and inspected the under-mentioned
specimens of woods brought from Mozambique by Mr. M’Leod, late
H.M. Consul there:—

“1. Inhampásse; 2. Pingué ou Páo-preto; 3. Mocua; 4.
Imbila; 5. Muramanhâma; 6. Mocunca; 7. Mocôzo; 8. Mucunite,
or sandal-wood; 9. Pumburo; 10. Peám; 11. Mussangara; 12.
Taxa; 13. Mocundo-cundo; 14. Mucorongo; 15. Raiz de Pingué on
Páo-preto; 16. Monangare; 17. Mocosso-cosso; 18. Páo-ferro,
iron-wood; 19. Páo-ferro mais escuro; 20. Panguira; 21. Páo
fava; 22. Metteral; 23. Mugunda; 24. Morrondo; 25. Moána; 26.
Luabo.

“After a careful examination of the above specimens, I find
they may be classed as follows:—

“1st. All those which are of small dimensions, and do not
attain in their growth the size of timber-trees, but, being of
good quality, may be useful for local purposes—such are Nos. 1,
2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19, 25, and 26.

“2nd. Those which are of small dimensions, and do not attain to
the character of timber-trees, and, being of inferior quality,
are not likely to be of any value in manufacture—such are Nos.
4, 5, 10, 11, and 14.

“3rd. All those trees of finer growth and nobler dimensions,
the quality of which is inferior, and apparently not of a
durable character—of this class are Nos. 7, 13, 20, 23, and 24.

“4th. The woods of good quality which just attain in their
growth the minimum of length which would fit them for naval
purposes—these are Nos. 12, 17, 21, and 22.

“Assuming that the character of the woods enumerated in classes
1 and 2 are sufficiently explained, it will only be necessary
to remark further, that in determining their classes I have
been guided by the dimensions given me by Mr. M’Leod, and that
I have taken these for my data throughout.

“Class 3 requires a fuller notice, as the trees are reported to
be of large growth.

“No. 7, Mocôzo, produces timber thirty-five to forty-five feet
in length, and from three to four feet square; its specific
gravity is about forty-seven pounds; it is of yellowish colour,
and is said to possess dyeing properties; the wood is porous,
and inferior in quality.

“No. 13, Mocundo-cundo, produces timber thirty-six feet in
length, and from three to four feet square; its specific
gravity is about forty-one pounds. The wood is yellow in
colour, porous, and inferior in quality. From the bark of this
tree quinine is extracted.

“No. 20, Panguira, produces timber thirty feet in length,
and will square about twenty inches; its specific gravity is
fifty-three pounds; the wood is of a dark brown colour, porous,
and inferior in quality. It is, however, stated to be used at
Mozambique for both house and ship-building purposes.

“No. 23, Mugunda, produces timber forty to sixty feet in
length, and squaring from three to six feet; its specific
gravity is thirty-eight pounds; it is of straight growth,
yellowish in colour, light, porous, and inferior in quality.

“No. 24, Morrondo, produces timber fifteen feet in length, and
two feet square; its specific gravity is about forty-seven
pounds; the wood is yellowish in colour, porous, and apparently
inferior in quality; it is stated to be used for ship-building
purposes at Mozambique.

“There is, probably, some mistake, either as to length, or in
the size, given for this tree, and in some others, as they do
not appear proportionate.

“Class 4 appear to be trees of a more useful description.

“No. 12, Taxa, produces timber twenty feet in length, and
twenty inches square; its specific gravity is about sixty-seven
pounds; the wood is close in the grain, heavy, of a reddish
colour, and apparently of good and durable character. I have no
information as to whether it has been used at the Mozambique
for any purpose; but it might be taken as a substitute for
African oak, or sabian, in ship-building, if greater lengths
can be found, as would seem probable, if it square up to twenty
inches.

“No. 17, Mocosso-cosso, produces timber eighteen feet in
length, and twenty inches square; its specific gravity is
fifty-nine pounds; it is a little lighter in colour than
mahogany, and somewhat resembles that wood in its grain; it
might be used as a substitute for it in ship-building and
cabinet-work; its quality is apparently good, and, if greater
lengths are procurable, would be valuable.

“No. 21, Páo-fava, produces timber twenty-two feet in length,
and twelve inches square; its specific gravity is forty-eight
pounds; it is of straight growth, has a fine clear grain, and
is apparently of good quality, it may be used as a substitute
for mahogany.

“No. 22, Metteral, produces timber twenty-four feet in length,
and twelve inches square; its specific gravity is fifty-six
pounds; it is darker in colour than the Páo-fava, heavier, and
better in quality; it may be used as a substitute for mahogany
in ship-building and cabinet-work.

“It is somewhat remarkable that among the trees of the largest
growth they should nearly all be found of inferior quality, and
apparently liable to early decay—yet such is their character,
when considered in reference to the specimens examined.

“The trees of more moderate dimensions assume a better
character, and if greater lengths, in proportion to the given
diameter, can be obtained in the Taxa and the Mocosso-cosso,
they would be found useful for beams, keelsons, &c. The
Páo-fava and the Metteral are both very good woods, but
an increased length and size is wanting to give them value
for beams, planks, &c. Further information is needed from
Mozambique on these four last-named woods, us to whether
greater lengths are procurable, and as to the quantities to be
found in the forests; if these are easy obtainable in large
quantities, and they can be brought readily to a port for
shipment, they would be deserving of a trial in our dock-yards.

“Mr. M’Leod states that Dr. Livingstone has found African oak
and lignum-vitæ up the Zambesi.

“The under-mentioned woods from the Seychelles and the
Mauritius were examined:—

“1. Tacamaca red; 2. Tacamaca white; 3. Bois de natte; 4.
Bois de natte; 5. Tacamaca rouge; 6. Tacamaca blanc; 7. Bois
montagur; 8. Bois danner blanc; 9. Bois blanc; 10. Bois marri
petite feuille; 11. Bois rouge; 12. Bois de pomme; 13. Bois de
ronde; 14. Bois d’olive; 15. Faux gayac d’ile de Solomon; 16.
Tambalicoque; 17. Capuchin; 18. Calofan; 19. Bois puant.

“The foregoing may be classed as follows, viz.:—

“1st. All those of small dimensions, that scarcely attain to
the character of timber-trees, and including the larger woods
of inferior quality—of these are Nos. 1 to 16 inclusive.

“2nd. The trees of large growth—these are Nos. 17 to 19
inclusive.

“No. 17. Capuchin, a red, hard wood, heavy, and apparently of
good quality; it is stated to grow to an enormous size at the
Seychelles, and to be durable. The specimen examined was too
small to enable me to form a correct opinion of its qualities
as a ship-building wood.

“18. Colofan, stated to grow to the height of forty to fifty
feet before branching, and from two to three feet in diameter,
at the Seychelles.

“No. 19, Bois puant, stated to grow to a very large size at
the Mauritius, and to be durable. The specimens of both 18 and
19 were very small, and it would be unsafe to give an opinion
based on this inspection, as to the value of these woods for
ship-building purposes; it may, however, be mentioned, that
Mr. M’Leod informed me that nearly all the woods found at the
Seychelles are used in building such vessels as are required at
that place.

(Signed) THOS. LASLETT,
“Timber-Inspector.

“To the Hon. R. DUNDAS, Storekeeper-General of the Navy.”

* * * * *

“15, Whitehall-place, May 3, 1859.

SIR,—With reference to your letter of the 19th February last,
politely inquiring what steps should be taken for obtaining
a supply of the descriptions of woods approved of from the
Seychelles and the river Zambesi, I have the honour to state
that the ‘Thomas Blyth,’ a vessel of 500 tons, built at the
Seychelles in 1837, of timber grown on those islands, is now
lying in the West India Dock. Her owners, Messrs. Blyth,
Brothers and Co., Philpot-lane, City, have kindly consented to
allow her to be submitted to any inspection that you may deem
necessary for the purpose of satisfying the Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty as to the fitness of the timber from the
Seychelles for ship-building.

“Hoping to be favoured with a copy of the report of survey on
the ‘Thomas Blyth,’—I have, &c.

“J. LYONS M’LEOD.”

“To the Hon. R. DUNDAS, Storekeeper-General of the Navy.”

* * * * *

“11th June, 1859.

“SIR,—Referring to your letter of the 3rd ultimo, I have
to request, in pursuance of the directions of the Lord
Commissioners of the Admiralty, that you will be so obliging as
to state what you would consider the most practicable method
for obtaining a supply of a few logs of the descriptions of
woods approved of, from the Seychelles.

“I have also, in compliance with your request contained in your
letter above referred to, to transmit on the other side hereof
a copy of a report, dated the 23rd ultimo, from Mr. Luke, of
the department of the Surveyor of the Navy, on the ship ‘Thomas
Blyth.’—I am, Sir, your humble servant,

“R. DUNDAS,
“Storekeeper-General of the Navy.”

“To J. L. M’LEOD, Esq.”

* * * * *

“Admiralty, 23rd May, 1859.

“Having inspected the ship ‘Thomas Blyth,’ lying afloat in the
West India Docks, I beg to state that the timber and planking
of which she was built at the Seychelles in 1837 appear to be,
at the present time, in sound and good condition.

“This wood is of a chocolate colour, close, hard, and somewhat
stringy in its texture, and free from shakes.

“The degree of natural curvature in the growth of the frame
timbers could not be ascertained, the vessel being ceiled.

“The scantlings of this vessel are small, the timber squaring
from nine to twelve inches, and the lengths of her beams and
shifts of planking about twenty-six feet.

“Judging from the appearance of this wood, where it could be
inspected, and its durability, I consider it to be fit for
ship-building purposes, if it can be procured of sufficiently
large size for ships of war, of the same quality as the smaller
timber used in the construction of the vessel above referred to.

“Two pieces of the wood taken from the inside planking of the
‘Thomas Blyth’ are herewith forwarded as samples.

(Signed) “J. LUKE.”

C.

ON THE POSITION OF OPHIR.

1. _That Ophir was in India._

On behalf of the conjecture that places Ophir in India, the following arguments are alleged:—

That it is most natural to understand, from the Sacred narrative, that all the articles enumerated as forming the cargoes of the ships belonging to Solomon which visited Ophir were procurable in the country where Ophir was situated; and that all those articles were alone to be found in India.

The Septuagint translators appear to have held this opinion from rendering אוֺפִיר (Ophir) Σωφιρ, Σουφιρ, Σωφιρά, which is the Egyptian name for India.

Josephus also states: “Moreover, the king built many ships in the Egyptian bay of the Red Sea, in a certain place called Ezion-geber; it is now called Berenice, and is not far from the city Eloth. This country belonged formerly to the Jews, and became useful for shipping from the donations of Hiram, king of Tyre; for he sent a sufficient number of men thither for pilots, and such as were skilful in navigation, to whom Solomon gave this command:—That they should go along with his own stewards to the land that was of old called Ophir, but now the Chersonesus Aurea, which belongs to India, to fetch gold. And when they had gathered four hundred talents together they returned to the king again.”—_Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews_, book viii. c. 6, 4.

And again:—“About the same time there were brought to the king from the Chersonesus Aurea, a country so called, precious stones and pine-trees, and these trees he made use of for supporting the temple and the palace, as also for the materials of musical instruments, the harps and the psalteries, that the Levites might make use of them in hymns to God. The wood which was brought to him at this time was larger and finer than any that had ever been brought before; but let no one imagine these pine-trees were like those which are now so named,” &c.—(_Ibid_, viii. c. 7. 1.) The vulgate renders the words “the gold of Ophir” (Job xxviii. 16), by “tinctis Indiæ coloribus.” _See_ Wahner, _De Regione Ophir_; Tychsen, “De Commerc. Hebr.” in Commentt. Gott. xvi. 164, &c.; Huetti Commentatio de Navigatione Solomonis; Reland, Dissertt. Miscell., i. 172; or in Ugolini Thesaurus, vii.; Vitringa, and others.

Professor Heeren, in his excellent work on the Commerce of the Phœnicians, states that he is of opinion that the fleet of Solomon did visit India; but, on his own showing, this was unnecessary, for if the Phœnician colonies trading to India did, at the time of the Hebro-Phœnician voyage, exist in the Persian Gulf, it would be unnecessary for Solomon’s fleet to proceed further than to those colonies in the Persian Gulf to obtain all the produce of India which they were constantly importing. This opinion, held by Seetzen, has evidently induced him to place Ophir in the Persian Gulf.

Although the large majority of writers on this subject seek for Ophir in India, they are by no means united as to the exact locality; some believing it to be the town of Σομπάρα, at or near Goâ, mentioned by Ptolemy, Ammianus, and Abulfeda, while the majority place it on the island of Trophane, generally recognized as that of Ceylon.

2.—_That Ophir was in the Persian Gulf._

Some have sought Ophir in the islands of this Gulf; while others have proceeded up the Euphrates in search of it. Among the latter may be mentioned Calmet, in his “Dissertation sur le Pays d’Ophir,” who places the Ophir of Solomon in Armenia. To carry out this theory, he makes the fleet of Solomon to pass through the Persian Gulf up the Tigris and Euphrates, as far as these rivers were navigable, and to where they receive the produce of Armenian Ophir. It will be subsequently shown that, by the building of Tadmor in the wilderness, Solomon commanded the Phœnician trade, by this route, from India to Tyre, and that it would therefore have been useless for Hiram and Solomon to dispatch a fleet up the Persian Gulf. The Rev. Charles Foster, B.D., in “The Historical Geography of Arabia,” London, 1844, places the Ophir of Solomon in the east of Arabia, recognizing that locality in the town of Ofor, situated at about 60 or 70 miles from the sea-coast—having a river running a few miles from that town, and discharging itself into the Persian Gulf. After arguing the subject very fully, he sums up his opinion as to the above being the locality in the following words—“From these collective premises may unpresumptuously be drawn the conclusions—1. That the Ofor of Sale and d’Anville, a town and district in the mountains of Omân, west of the coast of Maham, is the Ophir of the Old Testament. 2. That the _littus Hammœum ubi auri Metalla_, or GOLD COAST, mentioned by Pliny, was the true term of the famous voyage in the reign of Solomon, from Ezion-geber, or Akaba, at the head of the Gulf of Elah. 3. And, lastly, that this Ophir or Ofor, the country of the Kottabani of Ptolemy, one of the many tribes known generally in Arabia by the denomination of Beni Kahtan or Kahtanys, was the primitive and proper seat of the family of Ophir, the son of Joktan, which, like so many other districts denominated from the brethren of this patriarch, still preserves, at the present day, the name and memory of their fathers.” The Rev. Mr. Foster adds in a note, “The name of this Joktanite patriarch, and of the famous gold country of Arabia, which, in the time of Ptolemy and Pliny, bore, and which still retains, his name, is a curious specimen of the flexibility of proper names in the Arabic, and its kindred dialects. For _Ophor_ can be traced through, at least, eight varieties of form—thus, in the prophecies of Jeremiah and Daniel (Jer. x. 9, Dan. x. 5), it is written _Uphaz_; in the Song of Solomon (v. 11) [?] _Paz_, (LXX. vers.) _Kephaz_; in Chronicles (2 Chron. iii. 6) _Paravim_; by Eupolemus, _Orphe_; by Ptolemy, _Appa_; by Niebuhr, _Efi_; and by Sale d’Anville, and all subsequent authorities, _Ofor_. M. Niebuhr notices variations nearly as numerous in the pronunciation of the word _Simoom_.” “Vent empoisonné, qu’on nomme Sâm, Smum, Samiel, ou Samêle, suivant les différens prononciations des Arabes.”—_Descript. de l’Arabie_, tome iii. p. 7; _Historical Geography of Arabia_, vol. i. p. 171. To the opinion expressed by the Rev. Mr. Foster the objection already made to that of Calmet equally applies, viz., that Hiram and Solomon already commanded all the trade of the Persian Gulf which reached Tyre and Jerusalem by way of Tadmor.

3.—_That Ophir was situated in South Arabia._

M. Niebuhr may be quoted as the great authority for Ophir being situated in South Arabia, although he failed in pointing out its exact position, as may be learned from the following:—“Je n’ai point trouvé de nom ressemblant à celui d’Ophir; mais je ne doute pas que si quelq’un avoit occasion de parcourir le pays depuis Aden jusqu’à Dafar, comme je l’ai parcouru de l’Mâm, il ne la trouve quelque part. Ophir étoit vraisemblablement le principal port du royaume des Sabéens, et il étoit san doute situé entre Aden et Dafar, peut-être même étoit-ce le port que les Grecs appellent Cana.”—_Niebuhr_, tome iii. p. 253.

4. _That Ophir was situated at Sofala._

Two thousand years before the Christian era, we learn that Semiramis, the great Queen of Assyria, not contented with the extensive dominions left to her by her husband, Ninus, enlarged them by the conquest of a great part of Ethiopia. (_Rollin_, book iii. chap. i. sec. 5. See also _Memoirs of the Academy of Belles Lettres_, vol. iii. p. 343, _et seq._ for two learned dissertations upon the Assyrian Empire, and particularly on the reign and actions of Semiramis.)

Sesostris, one of the most powerful kings of Egypt, ascended the throne on the death of his father, B.C. 1491. He formed no less a project than the conquest of the known world. He began his expedition by the conquest of Ethiopia, and obliged the nations of that country to furnish him, annually, with a certain quantity of ebony, ivory, and gold. Having fitted out a fleet of four hundred sail, he advanced to the Red Sea, and made himself master of the isles and coasts of that sea, proceeding afterwards to India. In the countries which he conquered, he left pillars on which the following inscription was engraved:—“Sesostris, king of kings, and lord of lords, subdued this country by the power of his arms.” His empire extended from the Ganges to the Danube. Diodorus Siculus tells us that he cut canals from Memphis to the Red Sea, opening Egypt to the commerce of Libya, Ethiopia, and Arabia. (_Herod._ l. ii. chap. 102, 110. _Diod._ l. 1, sec. 48, 54.)

In the sublime poem of Job—now generally attributed to Moses, and supposed to have been written previous to the Egyptian Exodus, during some part of Moses’ residence with his hospitable father-in-law, Jethro, in that district of Idumæa which was named Midian—about 1520 B.C.—mention is made of the gold of Ophir, Job xxviii. v. 16, showing that the gold of Ophir was at the date of this poem known to the Arabs of Idumæa, where the poem was written. In Genesis and Exodus frequent mention is made of myrrh, cinnamon, cassia, and aloes, articles which were imported by the Arabs of the south of Arabia from India and Africa, but which were believed by the Hebrews to be the produce of Arabia.

David, in Psalm xlv. v. 8, 9, mentions myrrh, aloes, cassia, ivory palaces, and the gold of Ophir.

The Queen of Sheba, in Luke xi. v. 31, is called the “Queen of the South,” that is to say, of the country the most remote known to the Hebrews; see 1 Kings x. 1 and 2, Chron. ix. 1. In vol. ii., p. 233, I have shown how Arabia was situated for commerce, and, bearing its position in mind, it may now be proper to refer to the account of this expedition of Solomon. “And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, ship-men, that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. And they came to Ophir; and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon.... And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, concerning the name of the Lord, she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold and precious stones. And when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart: and Solomon told her all her questions; there was not any thing hid from the king which he told her not. And when the Queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon’s wisdom, and the house that he had built, and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cup-bearers, and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land, of thy acts, and of thy wisdom. Howbeit, I believed not the words until I came, and mine eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth thy fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighteth in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel, because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. And she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones; there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.... And the navy, also, of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones. And the king made, of the almug trees, pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house; harps also, and psalteries for singers; there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day. And King Solomon gave unto the Queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked; besides that which Solomon gave of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.”

Some have looked upon the Queen of Sheba as the Queen of Sabia, situated in the kingdom of Sofala, on the east coast of Africa; but for our present purpose it will only be necessary to recognize in her the head of that portion of the Arabs commanding the south of Arabia, and the Emporia _there located_, and also on the opposite adjoining north-east coast of Africa—although she may have been Queen of the Arabian kingdom of Sheba, and also the African-Arabic kingdom of Sabia.