all he could to make them comfortable. The
kindness and hospitality they received from him and Dr. Crichton in
particular, made a grateful impression on the hearts of the Landers.

Accustomed as they had been during the last month, to the monotonous
sameness of a low flat country, the banks of the river covered with
mangroves overhanging the water, and in many parts, in consequence of
its extraordinary height, apparently growing out of it; the lofty
summit of Fernando Po, and the still loftier mountains of the
Camaroons, on the distant mainland, presented a sublime and
magnificent appearance. The highest mountain of the Camaroons, is a
striking feature on this part of the coast, being more than thirteen
thousand feet high. The land in its vicinity is low and flat, which
renders the appearance of this mountain still more imposing, as it
towers majestically over the surrounding country in solitary
grandeur. It divides the embouchures of the spacious rivers Old
Calebar and Del Rey on the west, from the equally important one of
the Cameroons on the east. The island of Fernando is detached about
twenty miles from the coast, and appeared to them, when they first
saw it, in two lofty peaks connected by a high ridge of land. The
northern peak is higher than the other, which is situated in the
southern part of the island, and rises gradually from the sea to the
height of ten thousand seven hundred feet. In clear weather the
island can be seen at the distance of more than a hundred miles; but
this is not always the case, as the summit is most frequently
concealed by clouds and fogs, which are common at certain seasons of
the year.

As they approached the island in fine weather, and with a moderate
wind, they had ample time to observe it. The shore is formed mostly
of a dark coloured rock, and covered with trees which reach down to
the water's edge. The whole of the lower part of the island is
covered with fine forest trees of various descriptions, extending
about three fourths up the sides of the mountain, where they became
thinly scattered, stinted in their growth, and interspersed with low
bushes and a brown dry grass. In various parts, patches of cultivated
ground may be seen along with the huts of the natives, presenting,
with the luxuriant foliage of the trees, a mass of verdure in the
most flourishing condition. Nature has here done her utmost; the
whole appearance of the island is of the most beautiful description,
and