protecting life and property, at present imminently exposed to ship

wreck.

Ships bound to Shanghai in the strength of the north-east monsoon, and adopting the eastern route, after leaving the south end of Formosa, should steer to pass to the northward of the Loochoo Islands at any discretional distance; from thence a direct course may be made for the Barren Islands, borrowing to the northward or southward, as circumstances may require. Several ships in getting too far to the northward before bearing up imagined they would carry the north-east monsoon right across, but by my own observations and the information derived from commanders of opium vessels at Woosung, it appears that the prevalent winds in the Yangtzee Kiang during the winter months are from the north-west, or say between north and west, and these winds appear to extend far to the eastward, as we had them 300 miles to the eastward of the Barren Islands.

During my stay at Shanghai, from the 18th December, 1850, to the 1st of February, 1851, the winds were generally from north and west, the weather was very cold, quite clear over head, but hazy on the land. On two occasions the wind veered to the southward with rain which continued for two or three days, after which the wind set in strong from the north-west with clear weather again.

The barometer seldom gives any indication of ordinary gales during the north-east monsoon, either in the China Sea, or on the east coast. In the heavy gale I experienced off the south end of Formosa the fall of the mercury was only two tenths of an inch in fifteen hours, but should have the wind moderate from the eastward or southward of east, for a day or two, you may expect a hard blow from the northward, which generally comes on very suddenly.

you

It is my opinion that a ship leaving Singapore, in or about the middle of October, and bound to Shanghai would do far better to take the eastern passage, particularly if she be deeply laden or not weatherly, as she would thereby escape a great deal of heavy weather, and pro bably make as good, if not better passage, than by pursuing the route I adopted.

Should you deem these remarks worthy of a place in your valuable publication from which I have from time to time derived a great deal of information, I shall feel obliged by your inserting them. I am, Sir, &c.,

E. G. P. MARCH.

AFRICAN INFORMATION.

[The following replies to the (hastily drawn up) questions by which they are preceded, may possibly be useful to those who are proceeding to the African Coast. They are inserted at the request of a correspondent.-ED.]

I. The Bonny, anchorage off the town, lat by observation 4° 30' long. by chronometer 7° 10', variation of compass 19°.*

The River Bonny has a wide entrance but is rather difficult of access to strangers, in consequence of two bars or necks of sand that cross in a south-east and north-west direction. From the western breakers to the Balour Bank there is a space of one mile and a half between the two bars, in which there is from 3 to 6 fathoms water.

II. Specify the particular part of the town, village, or anchorage, of which you have given the position, (2) and state the difference of longitude by the same chronometer between this and the place where it was last rated, (3) and the number of days that elapsed between the observations.

To anchor off the Bonny bring Fochee Point to bear by compass N.W., and Rough Corner N. E.; you will then be in 4 fathoms at low water. The auchorage is exceedingly good here (mud below a sandy surface). If you should wish to enter the Bonny and it is clear weather, keep Peter Fortis Point two ships' length open of Rough Corner, which will lead you over the first bar in 3 fathoms clear of the Balour Bank. Steering directly for Rough Corner after crossing the first bar keep Rough Corner two points open on your port bow, until you close Peter Fortis Point with Rough Corner, then steer directly for it and you will carry 3 fathoms over the inner bar, and you will afterwards have from 17 to 10 fathoms up to Bonny Town keeping the starboard shore onboard.

III. How long have you known this particular part of the coast? (2) during which months? (3) how long have you remained at any one time.

I have sailed eleven voyages to the Bonny during the last twelve years, and have been there at all times of the year, and have remained there seven months at one time: my last visit was in 1839.

IV. Mention the name of the nearest town or place of resort for shipping, in each direction along the coast; and, as nearly as you can, its distance, with the true or magnetic bearing. (2) Mention the same in regard to the nearest river, stating whether it is navigable for vessels or boats.

There are many places of resort for shipping; throughout the Windward Coast it is almost impossible to pass any without a canoe coming off to acquaint you where to anchor, but there is a general instruction throughout the Windward and Gold Coast to anchor with the towns bearing by compass from N. to N.N.E. I have not visited any of the rivers on the Windward or Gold Coast.

V. In what month does the rainy season generally begin? (2) and when end? (3) and whether about the beginning, middle, or end of the month? (4) what is the character of the weather immediately preceding it? (5) and the signs by which it shows its approach?

The rainy season commences about the beginning of June, and ends about the 1st of November; clouds and squalls from seaward precede the rains, and frequent heavy showers during the night, whilst the day is fine.

VI. Is there much variation as to the time of the commencement? (2) and end of the rainy season?

There is sometimes a month's difference in the commencement and also in the termination.

*I think the position may be depended upon, as it is the result of many v ages.

VII. Is the rainy season to which you allude, healthy or unhealthy? (2) and if the latter, what effect has it upon Europeans? (3) and what upon the Natives? (4) and which part of the rainy season is the least healthy?

There are various opinions; I think healthy, if not much exposed. In cases of sickness during the rains the European is generally affected with dysentry. Upon the natives colds and intermitting fever. The most unhealthy part of the season is the beginning and the end.

VIII. Is it healthy or unhealthy after the rainy season is over, both in regard to Europeans, (2) and Natives? (3) and for what length of time is it so? (4) are fogs (usually called "the Smokes") known or prevalent? (5) at what period? (6) what effect have they upon Europeans? (7) and what upon the Natives?

The season after the rains (say all November,) I consider unhealthy for Europeans; the Natives are not affected much. December is a healthy month throughout the coast. The fogs commonly called "smokes commence about the end of December, and continue with perhaps a few days intermission all January. I consider this season healthy; it has the effect of parching everything animate and inanimate. Fever is very prevalent amongst the Natives.

IX. Is there any other periodical rain during the year? (2) if so, when does it generally begin? (3) and when end? (4) and what effect has it upon the health of Europeans? (5) and the Natives?

The latter part of the rainy season is termed the "after rains," but the difference is undefinable. From my observations, this part of the season is very unhealthy for Europeans, and the contrary with the Natives.

X. What is the most healthy time of the whole year for Europeans? (2) and what for the natives?

During the months of December, January, and February, and for the Natives, February, March, April, May, and June.

XI. What is the most unhealthy time of the whole year for Europeans? (2) and what for the Natives? (3) in what manner is each affected at this time.

During the months of April, May, and November; and for the Natives January, July, August, September, and October, the European is affected with fever, and the Native (in January) with small pox, and during the rains with rheumatism, colds, and elephantis.

XII. What diseases prevail among Europeans during the different seasons of the year? (2) and among the Natives?

The fever prevails during the sickly months (before mentioned), and dysentry during the rains, and the Natives as before named.

XIII. Are there any places on the coast, within a few leagues of this, which differ materially from it in point of healthiness? if so, add a list, stating (1) whether they are more or less healthy, (2) and the probable cause of their being so?

Cameroons is considered much more healthy than perhaps any other river, in consequence of the land being much higher and clearer of wood.

XIV. During what month do tornadoes take place? (2) from what quarter do they blow? (3) in what months are they most frequent? (4) in what months most violent ? (5) Is there any particular period of the moon's

age at which they take place? (6) Give a description of a tornado, its mode of commencement and progress to its conclusion. (7) How long do they generally last?

Tornadoes take place during the months of March, April, and May, and blow from north-east. They are most frequent in April and May, and also most violent. They take place at change of moon, and are most violent at that period. A small bright cloud appears near the horizon, which in a short time extends itself, and becomes a dense mass of dark cloud, which rises very rapidly; at this time there is heavy distant thunder and lightning; it forms an arch a little time before it breaks forth, and comes so sudden, that if a vessel was not prepared, she would suffer very materially; it continues from one to four hours.*

XV. During what months does the harmattan blow? (2) and from what point? (3) is it a healthy wind? if not, what are the probable causes of its unhealthiness? (4) Is it accompanied by fogs? (5) is it a cold or a hot wind?

The harmattan commences about the latter end of December, and continues until the beginning of February; it generally commences at north-east, and gradually draws to the south-east; it is considered healthy for Europeans but not so for the Natives. It is accompanied by fogs produced by very fine sand, which completely covers all that is exposed. It is very cold during the morning and evening, but hot during the day.

XVI. During what months do land winds prevail? (2) do they continue throughout the twenty-four hours? (3) or do land and sea breezes blow alternately? if the latter, at what time of the day does each begin? (4) Does either the land or sea breeze cross any marshy land before arriving at the anchorage?

Land winds prevail during the months of February, March, April, May, June, November: and December; they commence about midnight and continue with a little variation until 8 A.M. The sea breeze sets in about noon and blows direct from sea. The land wind blows off all marshy land, there being little else but marshy land in this part of the country (Bonny).

XVII. During what months do fogs prevail? (2) are they unhealthy for Europeans? (1) or Natives?

The fogs prevail during January and February: I consider them healthy for Europeans and the contrary for the Natives.

XVIII. State the limits of the coast within which you consider the above remarks to be applicable in regard to the rainy and healthy seasons? (2) and the winds?

Throughout the Windward, Gold Coast, Bights of Benin and Biafra with little variation.

The wind during the fine season is from west to south-west, and during the rains from W.S. W. to south.

XIX. Fill up as correctly as possible the following Table, regarding the temperature and the prevailing winds and currents on this part of the coast, &c.

Roussin's Directions, and all the published directions of the African Coast contain a description of a Tornado: it is even to be found in Murray's Family Library.-P.D.

Dec. 79 23 variable North Westerly 10 variable... {

Hazy Har

mattans

XX. Is the anchorage good? (2) what are the marks for it? (3) to what quarter is it open? (4) what is the depth of water? (5) what is the direction of the flood and ebb? (6) what is the time of high water at full and change? (7) what is its rise and fall (8) if it is inside a river, state the nature of the bar, (9) how it lies by compass, (10) the depth upon it at low water at apring tides, (11) the marks for crossing the bar, (12) and its distance from the shore. (13) Are any hills or mountains visible from the anchorage? (14) If so, state their magnetic or true bearings, and how far distant, (15) and their general appearance, whether table, or peaked, or with rounded outlines; (16) and whether wooded, rocky, or otherwise? The anchorage off Bonny Town is very good, in 10, 12, and 14

NO. 9.-VOL. XX.

3 N