While at Mosambique, a species of Pedalia called by Mr. Soares Dadeleira, and by the natives--from its resemblance to Gerzilin, or sesamum--"wild sesamum," was shown to us, and is said to be well known among native nurses as a very gentle and tasteless aperient for children.A few leaves of it are stirred in a cup of cold water for eight or nine seconds, and a couple of teaspoonfuls of the liquid given as a dose.The leaves form a sort of mucilage in the water by longer stirring, which is said to have diuretic properties besides.
On the 16th April we steamed out from Mosambique; and, the currents being in our favour, in a week reached Zanzibar.Here we experienced much hospitality from our countrymen, and especially from Dr. Seward, then acting consul and political agent for Colonel Playfair.
Dr. Seward was very doubtful if we could reach Bombay before what is called the break of the monsoon took place.This break occurs usually between the end of May and the 12th of June.The wind still blows from Africa to India, but with so much violence, and with such a murky atmosphere, that few or no observations for position can be taken.We were, however, at the time very anxious to dispose of the "Lady Nyassa," and, the only market we could reach being Bombay, we resolved to run the risk of getting there before the stormy period commenced; and, after taking fourteen tons of coal on board, we started on the 30th April from Zanzibar.
Our complement consisted of seven native Zambesians, two boys, and four Europeans; namely, one stoker, one sailor, one carpenter, whose names have been already mentioned, and Dr. Livingstone, as navigator.