A singular Berry" Dahomy produ-
ces." says DR.. M'Leod, in his voyage to
Africa, in great perfection, all the i'm
mense variety Of fine fruits found within
the torrid zone, with some peculiar to
itself, and among others one Of a most
singular quality. 1t is not unlike ripe
coffee berry, and does not at first appear
to have superior degree of sweetness,
but it leaves 10 the mouth much of tina,
impression, so that glass Of vinegar
tastes like sweet wine, and the sonrest
lemon like ripe orange: sugar is quite
an unnecessary article in tea or coffee; in
fact, the most nauseous drug seems sweet
10 whoever chews this fruit and its effect
is not worn away until after several meals.
1t is generally called the miraculous her.
ry, but Mr.. Dalzel has applied to it the
term CerGsuS Oryglycus.


Whoever eats this berry 10 the morn.
ing, must be content at least for that day
TO forego the natural favour Of every
kind of food, whether animal or vegetable,
for all will be alike saccharine TO the pal
ate; and the most ridiculous effect is often
produced by playing tricks upon those
who are not aware of its peculiar proper
ty. Mr.. DalzeI (who had been Governor
at Whydah, and ultimately Governor in
Chief the Company's service) attempted
to carry the shrub which produces this
fruit to the West Indies, but it died on
the passage. He likewise endeavored to
preserve the berries, but in every mode
Of preparation they los, their extraordina-
ry quality"


An inferior, in Dahomy, salutes his
superior by kneeling, clapping his hands
thrice, and then swapping his fingers a,
him, precisely as one would do in Eng.
land who wished to insult another. There
is nothing, perhaps, which strikes trav-
eller more than the strange variety in the
mode of salutatiou, or expression OF respect
in different parts Of the world. In Europe
they shake hands; uncover the head aud
bow; scrape with the feet; embrace ;
kiss hands, toes, &c. Some of the orien-
tails uncover their feet; lay their hands on
their breasts, or salam. The Chinese
thump their heads upon the ground 10
their sovereign; clench their fists and
grin at their equals; but that manner
which, more especially to an inhabitan'
of cold climate, seems the most awk-
ward and ridiculous, is practised by ce.<
tain islanders Of the Pacific ocean, where
on friends meeting, they join their noses
and rub them against each other.


Within the last month, no less thar
nine persons iu this town have narrowly
escaped falling victims to the practice Of
warming chambers with coal, all Of whom
required medical aid for their restoration


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