September 20.—­Towards the morning the storm abated, but throughout the day it was dark and gloomy, with passing showers.  In the present state of the weather we did not think it prudent to attempt penetrating through the thick forests which we knew were before us, and our horses would be the better for rest.  The botanical collector descended into one of the valleys nearest to us, and found the sides of it clothed with the timber before mentioned:  it was quite new to us.  Some of the flower and seed were procured, as it was generally found in full flower, which gave these stately trees a richness and beauty I had never seen equalled.  A great variety of other equally interesting plants was also found, some of them new species of timber.  The valleys were of the richest soil, having a small run of water in their bottoms.  Observed the variation by evening azimuth to be 10. 39.  E.

September 21.—­With a severe frost, the morning and day were finer than usual, though the weather was very unsettled.  We accomplished seven miles on a south-east by east course, through a very heavily wooded country; the timber generally of the best description, and the soil, with some partial exceptions, was equally good and rich.  It was, however, so thickly covered with ferns and bushes among the trees, with vines running from them, that in many places we found it difficult to pass.  Our course was accidentally such as to avoid all the deep valleys but two, the descents of which were extremely difficult.  In them strong streams of water ran to the north-east, no doubt joining the main river.  From the hill over one of the streams near which we halted the coast line of hills was plainly seen; and we appeared to have but a rugged journey before us.  Our horses too were so extremely weak and crippled, that the short distance we are enabled to travel is accomplished with pain and difficulty.  We were forced to leave one of them about a mile and a half from our resting-place, as he was utterly unable even to walk without his load. which was distributed among the others.  Some natives’ fires were seen about two miles to the north-east of us in the same valley.

September 22.—­A dark tempestuous morning.  Sent back for the horse we left yesterday afternoon:  he was somewhat recovered, and may perhaps live to reach the coast, the point whither our hopes have long pointed, and where I trust the horses will experience some relaxation from their present incessant but necessary labour.  We had no choice in the route we pursued this day, taking that which appeared most practicable for men and horses:  it was a continued ascending and descending of the most frightful precipices, so covered with trees and shrubs and creeping vines, that we frequently were obliged to cut our way through:  at the bottom of one of these, we left the sick horse in a dying state.  To add to our perplexities, it rained incessantly, and was so thick and dark, that towards evening it was with difficulty we could see