A SELF-DENVING ENTERPRISE. 87

made known my intention of going abroad for fur-
ther improvement. I selected the equinoctial
parts of Africa, which had not been visited by any
naturalist, and consequently offered a vast field
from which to reap a plentiful harvest of observa-
tions. Well aware it was no small undertaking I
had in view, I was not deterred by any difficulties,
but declared my intention to my father, who in-
troduced me in the year 1748 to M. David, director
of the Hast India Company, to whom he was well
known. He procured me a place in the factory of
Senegal, and promised to promote my speedy de-
parture.”

Adanson has not mentioned the fact that it was
al his own expense solely, and by the sacrifice of
the greater part of his patrimony, that he was en-
abled to embark on his arduous and self-denying
enterprise. He was just twenty-one years of age
when he left his native shores, and during a period
of six years expatriated himself to encounter a
world of hardships and perus, solely for the desire
he felt to prosecute the studies of his choice.
“Tantus Amor.” On his return to France he
published the history of his voyage, which gives a
full and detailed account of his adventures and
researches during five years’ sojourn in those torrid
and insalubrious regions. He was chiefly em-
ployed in indefatigable enquirics and researches,