But on the 31st July, he imprudently exposed himself to the night dew, in observing an eclipse of the moon, with a view to determine the longitude of the place; the next day he found himself attacked with fever and delirium, and an illness followed, which confined him to the house the greater part of August.

His recovery was very slow, but he embraced every short interval of convalescence to walk out and examine the productions of the country.

In one of these excursions, having rambled farther than usual in a hot day, he brought on a return of his fever, and was again confined to his bed.

The fever, however, was not so violent as before, and in the course of three weeks, when the weather permitted, he was able to renew his botanical excursions; and when it rained, he amused himself with drawing plants, &c.

in his chamber.