* * * * *
_Sketch of Gaboon, and its Interior._
The River Gabon, or Gaboon, as the English pronounce it, is placed by
some, N. 30’, E. 8° 42’, by others, on the equator and E. 9° 23’: the
former longitude is certainly the more correct; judging from three
reckonings of the vessel in which I visited it; unfortunately, I had not
the requisites for an observation. The former latitude also, is,
doubtless, the correct one of Cape Clara; for an observation, taken as
we were beating in by Round Corner, gave 23’ N.; and another, taken
about 35 miles up the river, 15’ N. From Cape Clara (which is not ‘very
high land,’) to Sandy point, being an oblique line, may be about 25
miles, but the direct width of the mouth of the river, cannot be more
than 18. From 22 to 25 miles up the river, lay Parrot and Konig islands,
called by the natives Embenee and Dambee; the former (on which ships
have been hauled to careen) 1¾ miles in circumference and uninhabited,
the latter considerably larger, and having a village on the hill. The
natives mentioned the ruins of a Portuguese fort there. Konig island is
not more than a mile from Rodney’s or Oweëndo point, where there is a
large bight; which, with the one opposite, within Eghirrighee point,
makes the width of the river nearly thirty miles in this part. From
these points it seems to form an inner basin, the greatest width of
which, just above Goombena creek, is about twelve miles, judging from
shots; for the work of the ship being heavy whilst in the river, and the
crew suffering from the climate, (the first mate and carpenter dying,)
no assistance could be spared for a survey. There are several large
creeks in the river, Goöngway is the most so, and Goombena the second.
These names, being, of themselves, as uninteresting as the list of
bearings would be, I shall reserve both the one and the other, with the
outline of the river adjusted to them, for the Portfolio of the African
Association; and also two or three sketches of the different parts of
the river, not worth publishing, but, possibly, useful for the
introduction of more accurate observers.[129]
About forty-five miles from the mouth, the river forms two arms. The one
runs north eastwards, by a point called Ohlombompole by the natives of
Gaboon, and Gongoloba by the Shekans or interior people; the entrance is
about four miles wide. The other, runs apparently S.S.E. by a point
called Quawkaw, and Quanlie by the two nations, and is about two miles
broad. It was an inconsiderate observation of Mr. Maxwell’s, “If the
Niger has a sensible outlet, I have no doubt of its proving the Congo,
knowing all the rivers between Cape Palmas and Cape Lopez to be
inadequate to the purpose.” The Volta may be thought so, but the Lagos
certainly cannot, nor the Danger, or Gaboon; and, surely, the rivers del
Rey, and Formoso are not; which are thus noticed, within a few pages of
Mr. Maxwell’s observation, by the judicious Editor of Mr. Park’s last
mission, “The Rio del Rey and the Formoso, are stated to be of
considerable size, being each of them seven or eight miles broad at the
mouth; and the supposed Delta, estimated by the line of coast, is much
larger than that of the Ganges: consequently, the two streams, if
united, must form a river of prodigious magnitude.”
There being little prospect of the ship completing her cargo (red wood
and ebony) within two months, I determined to divert such a tædium under
an insalubrious climate, by investigating and compiling the interior
geography, as far as I could from the reports of the slaves, and
traders. The most enterprising of the latter, and the greatest
travellers in the interior, living on board the vessel during her
loading, I conversed with them constantly, as they spoke good English;
and I went on shore twice, passing a night the latter time, to Naängo or
George’s Town, two miles up the romantic creek of Abaäga, about forty-
five miles from the mouth of the river. I found the Governor (so his
title was interpreted) a very hospitable and intelligent native, and
speaking good English. He had travelled much in the interior, when
young, was still very inquisitive for particulars, and produced me a
troop of slaves for questioning, which furnished a native of almost
every country I could hear of. I saw two young negroes, the sons of
native rulers, who spoke and wrote French fluently. The one had been
sent to that country for education, and the other in his voyage to
England for the same purpose, was taken and carried to France, and
generously educated and maintained by the owner of the privateer.[130]
Each remained in France upwards of eight years before they were sent
back to Gaboon, and professed to be very anxious to return to it,
depicting the native habits not only as uncongenial, but disgusting to
them. The Congo hypothesis, the primary stimulus to my enquiries, making
geographical particulars the most desirable, I will defer those on other
subjects, and submit the compilation of seven weeks investigation and
inquiry under the above advantageous circumstances.
The native name of the country of Gaboon, is Empoöngwa; it dos not
extend above the branching of the river, or more than forty miles in
length; and is about thirty in breadth, including the river, which they
call Aroöngo. We will pursue the north-eastern arm first. There is a
sand-bank in the middle of the entrance, and three small islands,
Soombëä, Ningahinga, and Ompoöngee, are just beyond it, where the water
becomes fresh. About two miles further, is a larger island called
Cheēndue, inhabited, and the women of which are constantly employed in
fishing for white mullet, being abundant. They dress them with a kind of
chocolate, which I shall notice presently. Several large trees grow out
of the water, one, eminently high, is directly in the middle of the
river; they are called Intinga, or the iron tree. The eastern banks of
this arm are inhabited by the Sheekans, who, with all the nations of the
interior, are called Boolas by the Gaboons, a term synonymous with Dunko
in Ashantee. Adjoining Sheekan are the Jomays, who speak a dialect of
the same language. The Sheekans bury their dead within the house, under
their beds. The Gaboons prohibit these people from visiting the coast,
lest they should deprive them of their profits, as the medium between
the interior and shipping, whether for slaves or manufactures.
The Sheekans, like their neighbours, only reckon from 1 to 5, conjoining
these numerals afterwards, as Mr. Park has shewn the Feloops and the
Jaloffs to do.
One Ilwawtoe
Two Ibba
Three Bittach
Four Binnay
Five Bittah
Ten Ducoom
Twenty Eboomebba
Hundred Kama
The source of the north-eastern arm is unknown, it probably flows from
the River Danger, called by the natives Moöhnda, which flows very far
from the interior; and, though not so wide, is considerably deeper than
the Aroöngo or Gabon. There is a creek passing Quaw Ben’s town in the
River Gabon, which runs inland, within a short distance of the Moöhnda,
so that traders proceeding so far by it, carry their canoes over the
interval to that river. The Nokos, Apooks, and Komebays, inhabit the
lower space between the Rivers Gaboon and Danger.
Having pulled up the N.E. arm for two days and nights, they land,
leaving the river about one mile broad; and after two journies,
(skirting Sheekan,) reach Samashialee, the capital of the country of
Kaylee, (sometimes called Kalay,) and the residence of the King Ohmbay.
Samashialee, is described as a considerable town, and Asāko, as the
second to it; their houses are all of bamboo. The Kaylees manufacture
iron from the ore, which abounds every where in this part of Africa; but
they are very careful not to let the coast people see them do so, as
knives, spears, mats, and bamboo cloth, are their articles of barter
with them, for brass rods, cottons, and other European commodities. I
procured some of the knives and spear heads, of their own iron. The
bamboo-cloth has the appearance of coarse brown Holland. Their mats are
very fine, and much varied in colors and patterns. It is remarkable,
that the latter do not partake at all of their own wild character, but
are of that chaste, simple outline which would be called elegant by
civilized nations. These people are cannibals, not only eating their
prisoners but their dead, whose bodies are bid for directly the breath
is out of them. A father has frequently been seen to eat his own child.
Fowls abound in their country, but they never eat them, nor will they
goats, which are equally numerous, whilst human flesh is to be had. Salt
fetches an enormous price. The people of Gaboon would be afraid to
venture amongst them, even as traders, but for their musquets, and a
strong body of Sheekans, always engaged to accompany them. Their country
is mountainous and woody. There are people inhabiting a mountain close
to the north-eastward of Kalay, who are said to see best in the night
time, when they travel and work, sleeping most of the day, because the
light hurts their eyes, which are remarkably brilliant. Ivory is
plentiful. The Kaylee seems to be a dialect of the Sheekan.
One Woto
Two Ibba
Three Battach
Four Binnay
Five Bittan
Ten Duëoom
Northward of Kaylee, two journies, is Imbekee, adjoining the Moöhnda or
Danger. One moon distant, in the same direction, passing through the
countries, Beesoo (three journies from Imbeekee) Aösa, and Hetan, are
the larger kingdoms of Badayhee, and Oongoomo; the King of the latter is
Enjukayamoo, and the capital Mattadee, described as a very large town.
The numerals assimilate to those of Kaylee.
One Woötta
Two Beeba
Three Bittach
Four Binnay
Five Bitten
Travelling (still northward,) through the small states of Oondamee and
Bolaykee, in six journies they reach the extensive countries of Paämway,
and Shaybee, which adjoin each other; and on their northern frontier is
Bayhee, through which kingdom the River Wola or Wole flows; the largest
river they had ever seen or heard of, and running eastward. My friend
the Governor, always impressed on me, that this was the largest river in
the world, and ran, to use his own words, “farther than any one, except
God, knows, farther than Indee; all the great rivers in this country
come from Wole.” The Moöhnda, he had always understood in the long
course of his enquiries, to flow from it; but he could not speak so
positively of that, as of the junction of the Ogooawai and the Wole, as
he had himself been to a considerable distance up the Ogooawai, which,
returning to Gaboon, we shall proceed to. All the nations on this route
were said to be cannibals, the Paämways not so voraciously so as the
others, because they cultivate a breed of large dogs for their eating;
this seems the favourite meat in most parts of Africa.
Those who travel eastward, pull for a day and a half up the right hand
or south-eastern arm of the Gaboon or Aroöngo, which arm is formed by
the junction of several small streams, about sixty miles from its
confluence with the north-eastern arm. Landing about thirty-five miles
up it, two and a half journies are occupied in travelling over an
uninhabited country, described as savannah, and called Woongawoonga; it
is entirely open, and buffaloes are numerous. Here they reach the
Ogooäwai, a rapid river, frequently as wide, and, generally,
considerably deeper than the Gaboon; and which, as we shall presently
see, runs to the Congo, of itself insignificant. One day up the
Ogoöawai, is the small kingdom of Adjoomba, consisting but of four
towns. One journey beyond, on the Ogooäwai, and north-eastward, is
Gaelwa, a kingdom of more importance, its length three journies. The
King’s name is Roiela, and the capital, a considerable town, Inkanjee:
Goondemsie is second to it. Adjoining Gaelwa is Eninga, where the river
widens considerably; this country is larger than Adjoomba, very
populous, and composed of several small governments. The river winds
very much; frequently they save time by carrying their canoes over the
peninsulas; they are also opposed by impetuous currents. Hitherto the
language is the same as the Empoöngwa or Gaboon. Twenty journies from
the frontier of Gaelwa and Eninga, through the small state of Okota, is
the kingdom of Asheera; and ten beyond it, that of Okandee, the greatest
they know. The King’s name is Adoomoo, the capital extensive, and kept
particularly clean: their law forbids any native of Okandee to be sold
as a slave. None of the nations on the Ogooäwai are cannibals. On the
eastern confines of Okandee this river is described to join or flow from
the Wōla. The countries between the Moöhnda and Ogooäwai, are called
Sappalah, Koomakaimalong, and Okaykay, and described as vast extents of
savannah. Deeha was spoken of as a large country in the neighbourhood of
the Wōla. I could not make these interior natives, or the people of
Gaboon, understand what I meant by a Moor; there are none but pagan
negroes throughout. The slaves recently arrived viewed me with affright;
they said none in their country would believe there were white men.
I could hear of no great controlling kingdom, like Ashantee, in these
parts of the interior, nor do I think any such exists eastward of
Yarriba, or other than numerous small states, as far behind Dagwumba and
its neighbours in civilization, as they are behind Europeans. The
name,[131] situation, magnitude, and course of the Wōla, leave little
doubt of its being the Kulla or Quolla; though I am not clear that they
said there was a country of the name of the river, nor did I recognize
the name of any of the countries I had before heard of, as being in its
neighbourhood. With those on the northern banks of this large river they
did not profess to be acquainted, and those on the southern may be
intermediate between the Moöhnda and Ogooawai routes, which diverge from
Empoöngwa, the former northward, the latter north-eastward. Forty
journies from the Empoöngwa frontier to the Bahr Kulla agree very well
with the distance. A strong argument, in addition to the above, for the
Wōla and the Quolla being the same river, (recollecting my description
of the Paämways, and all the nations on the line of the Moöhnda, as
cannibals,) is suggested by the reperusal of the following remarks of
Mr. Horneman, and Mr. Hutchison, already quoted in page 202: “The Yem
Yems, cannibals, are south of Kano, ten days,” which agrees very well
with the lowered course of the Niger, which I have been obliged to lay
down. “It is to the King of Quallowliffa that the country in which
Canna, Dall, and Yum Yum, where cannibals are, is subject.” It is true,
that the character only, and not the names of the nations visited from
Empoöngwa, can be identified with Mr. Hutchison’s Canna, Dall, and Yum
Yum; but the Moorish pronunciation, or writing of negro names,
especially those only known to them by report, is very incorrect and
capricious. To Mr. Horneman, they were called Yem Yems; to Mr.
Hutchison, Yum Yums, and sometimes Jum Jums. The names Bapoonoo,
Okobella, Banginniga, Oonbamba, and Asango, may possibly be identified
hereafter amongst the countries approximating to the Wōla.
We will return to Adjoomba, where the Ogooäwai divides itself; the
smaller arm called Assazee runs to Cape Lopez, which is in the kingdom
of Oroöngoo; the monarch, Ogoöla, from his power surpassing every other
in the neighbourhood of the coast, has acquired the name of Pass-all
with the traders who speak English. Between Oroöngoo and Adjoomba is the
kingdom of Oongobai. The King’s name is Pendanga, and the numerals are,
One Rappeek.
Two Ramboise.
Three Mittasee.
Four Binnay.
Five Bittan.
Six Sambal.
Seven Bittooba.
Eight Bissamen.
Nine Bwoi.
Ten Deëoom.
An intelligent native of this country had fled to Gaboon to avoid
execution.
The larger arm of the Ogooäwai, flowing south-eastward, as wide as the
Gaboon, through the country of Tanyan, (the western frontier of which is
five journies from that of Adjoomba,) runs into the Congo, (which is
comparatively small before the confluence,) about ten days pull from the
mouth of that river. A very intelligent man who acts as interpreter or
trade man to the vessels which frequent the river Gaboon, confirming
this account of the slaves and traders, I enquired into the
circumstances to which he owed his knowledge. He is the son of the
principal trader in Gaboon, called Tom Lawson, who speaks English
fluently. Eight years ago, this young man, Wondo, went from Gaboon to
the Congo, in the Nimble, Everett master. After the vessel had traded
some time, as high up in the river as she might safely venture, the
captain sent him and three or four other negroes in a boat with goods,
to go up as much higher as they could. His account was, that they passed
Evehelee and Cormee, when they came to a fall of water upwards of twenty
feet high. A native, who preceded them in his canoe, directed them to
enter a small channel to the east, which, by a considerable sweep,
avoided it, but the natives, he persisted, both pulled their canoes up,
and let them down this fall, by long fibrous roots twisted into cordage,
and affixed to the large trees above; frequently, however, the most
expert were victims to their intrepidity, generally in the descent;
their canoes were made purposely in the shape of a bow. I expressed my
doubts, questioned him with seeming indifference, at many different
times, on this subject, and requested others to do the same; his account
never varied. He was naturally very cautious in what he said, by no
means given to the marvellous in recounting his travels, but a corrector
of that disposition in others. To the last moment he persisted in this
report. Just beyond this fall is the confluence of the Ogooawai and the
Congo, which takes place in Tanyan.[132] From this point he described
the latter as gradually dwindling to its source, (not more than six days
distant, by Encombë and Eveheea,) so that the Congo owed its magnitude
and rapidity entirely to the Ogooawai.[133] He mentioned a chief named
Mangoff, to have been a principal man in the Congo, and he sung his boat
chorus as a specimen of the language, “Malava napa, malava mabootay,
mabootay.” He said, Mangoff lived at Barrima. He spoke of a place called
Ohlobe, but I omitted to minute the particulars.
The master of a Liverpool ship, laying in Gaboon river, having visited
the Congo annually for many years, I availed myself of an opportunity of
conversing with him also. He mentioned Bōma as the principal place of
trade, but he did not consider it more than forty miles up the river; it
was so called after a chief, whose son has now succeeded him. Binda, a
secondary place of trade, he reckoned to be ninety miles from the
entrance of the river, on the north side; but there are so many arms or
branches there, that it is very difficult to distinguish the Congo
itself, which he had always understood to terminate soon
afterwards.[134] The houses he described as wretched, and transportable,
so that a trader buying one for a trifle, could have it moved to any
part of the banks he pleased. Sea horse teeth were to be bought
plentifully, they buried them with their dead, dedicating them as the
Ashantees do gold, and generally sticking one erect on the grave, as a
sort of monument. He spoke very ill of them from his own experience;
they had frequently attempted to poison the water on board his vessel. A
few months back they cut off a Portuguese vessel, destroyed the crew,
and plundered her. I anxiously anticipate the perusal of Captain
Tuckey’s journal.
Tom Lawson, who has as much, if not more influence than his brother the
King, says he would provide an escort headed by his son Wondo, and
guarantee the safety of any exploratory party to the river Ogooawai, and
five days up it; that is as far as Okota. Two hundred pounds laid out in
goods, I think, would defray the expenses, and presents, en passant,
handsomely, and there are many opportunities by which two officers might
be sent from Cape Coast to Gaboon for the purpose, and by way of the
islands, return to it. A man of war might convey them, and call for
them, on her cruise.
Kings are numerous in Gaboon, and scarcely comparable even with the
petty caboceers of Fantee. The greatest trader, or the richest man of
almost every small village assumes the title, and frequently suffers
gross indignities from his subjects, from not having the power to punish
them. The King of Naängo seems of acknowledged superiority, and is
comparatively respectable, both in means and power; he is known to
trading vessels by the name of King George. The brother succeeds before
the son. The legislative and judicial power is vested in the Governor,
controlled by the King, who may order the death of a man; but, if he
assigns no good reason, the offensive party is generally allowed to
retire elsewhere. All children share the property of the father in equal
portions, except the eldest son, who has about half as much again as any
other. If a man kills another, he has a public trial; and, if he cannot
justify the act, which it seems he may in many instances, his own death
is inevitable. If he kills one of his wives, (his rank is designated by
the number,) he pays a fine to her family, who, and not the husband, are
involved in all her palavers. The acknowledged heir to a property may
bring a palaver against his father, or whoever may be possessor of it,
for killing a slave unjustly, or otherwise injuring the property, and
oblige him to make good the injury.
A man may not look at, or converse with his mother-in-law, on pain of a
heavy, perhaps a ruinous fine; this singular law is founded on the
tradition of an incest. It is a common custom to lend their wives to one
another; if a man evades a promise of this kind, the Governor awards
heavy damages to the plaintiff. If an applicant is refused, and is
detected in intrigue, the whole of his property is forfeited to the
husband of the woman, who, if it is not speedily delivered, may kill the
man, and burn his house. I heard of no law so barbarous or disgusting,
as this any where in the interior of the Gold Coast. They assured me
they never made human sacrifices.
A man of consequence never drinks before his inferiors, without hiding
his face from them, believing that at this moment only, his enemies have
the power of imposing a spell on his faculties, in spite of the
guardiance of his fetish. When a man dies, the door of his house is kept
shut seven days. The whiskers of the men, and the side locks both of
them and the women, hang down in narrow braids, sometimes below their
shoulders, the ends commonly tipped with small beads, and the front
locks are generally braided to project like horns. The women wear a
number of thick brass rings (the trade brass rod twisted) round their
legs. A woman of consequence has a succession of them from the ancle to
the knee, which announce her approach when walking, and jingle when she
dances. The female slaves support even the heaviest burdens from a broad
band or string around the temples. Like other negroes, different
families have different fetish, some will not eat a cock, nor others a
hen. I could not discover any distinct ideas of the creation, or of a
future life. They believe implicitly in the superior fetish of
individuals from Sappalah and other countries in the interior.
Tom Lawson’s ‘fetish man,’ a native of Sappalah, has so thoroughly
persuaded his master, by his address and fortuitous circumstances in
war, that no bullet can injure him, strike him where it will, (either
rebounding, or penetrating to be thrown from the stomach at pleasure)
that this old man, who has lived almost the whole of his life in
European vessels, always presses every stranger to become equally
convinced by firing at him. His son bribed this man to endue him with
the same fetish, and eagerly making trial of its virtue, received a
musket ball, which fractured the small bone of his arm. The address of
the fetish man accounted for this, to the entire satisfaction of every
body, by declaring (being the most probable crime he could guess in the
emergency) that it was at that instant revealed to him by the offended
fetish, that this young man once had a stolen intercourse with his wife
at an improper season; it was immediately confessed as a truth, and they
are as obstinate believers as ever.
Naängo consists of one street, wide, regular, and clean. The houses are
very neatly constructed of bamboo, and afford a ground floor of spacious
and lofty apartments. They sleep on bedsteads encircled with musquito
curtains of bamboo cloth. The manners of the superiors are very pleasing
and hospitable, and a European may reside amongst them, not only with
safety, but with comfort and dignity. I do not think the old and new
town contain 500 inhabitants between them. From the sickness which
prevailed on board the vessel, the climate must be very insalubrious.
The density of the atmosphere from exhalation was even more oppressive
than the heat, which was intense before the setting in of the sea-
breeze, and at all times sensibly much greater than I had experienced on
the Gold Coast, or in the interior: there was no thermometer on board.
The Empoöngwa is the softest negro language I have ever heard, being
characterized by the duplication of vowels, separately pronounced. Their
numerals are;
One Hemoödee
Two Mban
Three Ntcharoo
Four Nahee
Five Nchanee
Six Oroöba
Seven Ragginnoömoo
Eight Ennanakee
Nine Enogoöm
Ten Hegoöm
They do not possess a single manufacture, depending for all their
comforts and conveniences on the superior ingenuity of their inland
neighbours, and the supplies of shipping. They plant but handfuls of
corn, and rear a few goats and fowls. Cotton grows spontaneously. They
make a good black dye from the mangrove and ebony shavings. They reduce
the red wood to a very soft powder, by breaking a soft species of stone,
and sprinkling the finest particles of it on a flat piece of red wood,
which they rub violently against another flat piece; the mixed powders
are then thrown into water, and that of the wood floating on the surface
is strained and dried. They rub children with this powder for cutaneous
eruptions.
The African Ourang-outan (Pithecus Troglodites) is found here, the one I
saw was two feet and a half high, but said to be growing. I offered a
fair price for it, considering they are not rare there, and would not
give more when I heard of one being already in England. The native name
is Inchego: it had the cry, visage, and action of a very old man, and
was obedient to the voice of its master; its agony on espying the
panther on board was inconceivable.[135] There is a curious variety of
monkeys. The favourite and most extraordinary subject of our
conversations on natural history, (which I introduce merely to excite
enquiry) was the Ingēna, compared with an Ourang-outan, but much
exceeding it in size, being generally five feet high, and four across
the shoulders; its paw was said to be even more disproportionate than
its breadth, and one blow of it to be fatal; it is seen commonly by
those who travel to Kaylee, lurking in the bush to destroy passengers,
and feeding principally on the wild honey, which abounds. Their death is
frequently accelerated by the silliness which characterizes most of
their actions: observing men carry heavy burthens through the forest,
they tear off the largest branches from the trees, and accumulating a
weight (sometimes of elephants teeth,) disproportionate even to their
superior strength, emulously hurry with it from one part of the woods to
another, with little or no cessation, until the fatigue, and the want of
rest and nourishment, exhausts them. Amongst other of their actions,
reported without variation by the men, women, and children of Empoöngwa
and Sheekan, is that of building a house in rude imitation of the
natives, and sleeping outside or on the roof of it; and also of carrying
about their infant dead, closely pressed to them, until they drop away
in putrefaction.[136] The larger birds in the creeks were uncommon, if
not unknown. Pelicans abounded.
Chamelions were plentifully caught, but none lived more than a month on
board the vessel, whether fed with flies, or not at all. The changes of
those I watched seemed confined to the shades between a very dark, dusky
green, and a bright yellow; when placed on any black substance they
became the former, and when any thing light approached them, they
changed to a bright green, which hue, if the substance was yellow, was
interspersed with the most brilliant spots of that colour. I could not
discern that they ever acquired a tinge of blue or red; when at rest in
their cage, their color was dark green, mottled with still darker spots.
In my rambles about the environs of Naängo, I formed some idea of the
general face of vegetation in Empoöngwa. Being the rainy season, of
course it did not possess its usual beauty. The red wood trees abounded,
with many which were new to me. The Mangroves clothed the banks of the
creeks and river, even growing some yards from the banks in the water,
and their lower branches frequently covered with oysters. The palm wine
tree was plentiful. Like most parts of Western Africa, the woods were so
covered beneath with shrubs and plants, that they seemed impenetrable.
Immense runners, twisting together, dropped from the branches like large
cables, generally covered with parasites; sometimes adhering to the
parent stem, they became themselves a tree, and at others, shooting
across to the branches of neighbouring trees, seemed to connect the
forest in a general link. The climbing plants contributed to this
entanglement, for, interlacing their tendrils amongst the trees, they
enwreathed them in the most beautiful flowers, or dropping in festoons,
formed a splendid drapery to the sober green of the canopy: amongst
these the convolvolus cairicus was conspicuous, from its extreme
variety, the flowers being not only of that beautiful lilac, so much
esteemed in England, but of the brightest blue, dark brown, pale yellow,
white, pink, buff with a purple eye, and all the shades which an opening
flower presents from budding to decay.[137] I gathered a few specimens
of the plants as I walked along, which may be acceptable to botanists. I
can only lament that so many circumstances conspired to render my
account of them imperfect; the rainy season, my slight knowledge of
botany, and the absence of all instruments which might have enabled me
to examine the very minute flowers which frequently presented
themselves; but I am convinced many new species might be discovered. I
will submit a few which were remarkable for their different virtues, and
of which drawings or specimens are preserved.
The Cosa Cosa grew upon a tree about ten feet high, the flowers in
clusters, but rarely two fully blown at the same moment, the corolla
white, tube shaped, but cleft to the bottom, tinged at the top with
crimson and yellow; a slightly tinged glutinous petal was fixed within
the corolla, and adhered firmly to it; when separated, I found the two
anthera fastened to it, without filaments, and between them laid the
style, the stigma having a small hook at the back to fasten it between
the two anthera. The juice is used for curing inflammations of the eyes.
The Endaägoo (_Cyperas articulatus_. _Linn._) had the appearance of a
grass, the bulbous root was used as a worm medicine.
The Owallifa was not in blossom, the prickly leaf was applied to
swellings when they wished to reduce them by bleeding; flogging the part
affected, as boys frequently do their chilblains with holly.
The Edjamba (_a species of_ _Urtica_) bears a multitude of minute green
flowers, the leaves wear the appearance of nettles, and when laid on the
skin produce blisters.
The Eninda Aboönee (_Leea sambucina_) is an umbelliferous plant, the
infusion of which is said to correct nausea.
The Oonkoolankolee (_Aneilema bracteolata_. _Br._) bears a very delicate
lilac blossom, with only two petals, which fly back and expose the other
parts of the flower; the least breath of air will disturb them. The
natives wash their children with its infusion, if they are backward in
walking.
The Econda Boomba (_Bidens_, probably a new species, but too imperfect
to be determined) is anti-venereal, as an infusion; the flower resembles
the chamomile.
The Shewawono bears a spike with leaves resembling those of Hedysarum.
The decoction is said to cure rheumatism.
The tobacco grows spontaneously, but I do not consider this so strong a
proof of its being indigenous to Africa, as that it grows in Inta. The
Portuguese have probably introduced it into Gaboon.
The natives here as well as elsewhere have a number of fetish plants;
the most remarkable seems the Ewelly welly, (the Aserumbdrue of
Ashantee, a species of Piper related to Umbellatum) the broad leaf of
which, when rubbed on a fetish man, is said to render him invisible.
The Eroga, a favourite but violent medicine, is no doubt a fungus, for
they describe it as growing on a tree called the Ocamboo, when decaying;
they burn it first, and take as much as would lay on a shilling.
The medicine they most prize is the Neoöndoo; a small quantity was
spared to me reluctantly. Four nuts grow in a pod on a very large tree
of the hardest wood; it is purchased greedily, only growing on the
frontier of Empoöngwa, and is used successfully by those afflicted with
gravel.
In killing elephants they use two poisons, both of which are the milky
juices of the stalks of plants. Inquaw indjoo (a plant belonging to the
natural order _Aroidea_, and referable to the Linnean genus _Arum_)
bears a hard white berry in a spiral cluster. The Ygwan agwan berries
are red, and in perfection at the time that the flowers are budding.
These juices are rubbed on the muskets balls, spears, arrows, and
knives, and the effect on the elephant is described as almost
instantaneous.
They make bird lime from a tree called Epoowa.
Besides the pine apple, the common thread of Africa, they use that of
two other plants, the Ezoönee (_Triumfitta elliptica_, _Nov. Sp._) and
the Naängoo, an _Urtica_, or genus nearly allied to it. The former bears
a yellow flower, too minute for my inspection. The top of the latter is
surmounted by five or six delicate flower stalks; the blossoms were
exceedingly minute, and of a lively green.
The governor of the town brought me two or three very harsh rough
leaves, which he said were from the plant Egoögoo (a species of _ficus_)
not then in blossom; they are used in planing wood, polishing and
cleaning various articles of household furniture, and feel like emery
paper. At the same time he gave me what they are very fond of chewing, a
delicate little mimosa, (_Abrus precatorius_. _Linn._) the taste of
which resembles liquorice.
A beautiful red pod, the blossom of which was out of season, contains
small black seeds, in taste exactly resembling the cardamom. The natives
of this place, and also of the interior, are very fond of them. In
Booroom the plant is called Booroomma, and at Gaboon, Entoöndo.
The Caoutchouc is to be met with here; the natives describe it as the
product of one tree only,[138] the olamboo; their method of collecting
it is curious. After the incision is made in the tree, whence it oozes
like a glutinous milk, they spread it over their arms and breasts with a
knife, (having first shaved themselves, that the hair of the skin may
not be torn up when it is taken off,) in the form of a plaister. It is
either rolled up in balls to play with, or stretched over the heads of
drums; they do not seem to apply it to any other use.
They make their torches from the wood (odjoo) of which they form their
canoes, the resinous parts are broken in small pieces, and tied closely
in very long leaves; the smaller end is fixed to an upright stick placed
in the ground of the apartment; they afford a brilliant light, and the
resin, when burning, emits a grateful odour.
The Odica, from which they make a kind of chocolate, is a very high and
large tree, bearing an acuminate shining leaf. The nuts, which are
white, are contained in a round pod with a bulb at the end, twice as
large as a man’s fist, green without, and yellow within; the parts
surrounding the nuts are squeezed into water, which they sweeten like
honey. The kernels are strung and smoke dried, and then beat in water
into large masses, having the appearance of coarse chocolate, but the
flavour of a rank gross gravy. It might be more palatable otherwise
prepared.
The vegetable butter (which certainly belongs to the natural order
_Sapoteæ_) brought to the Ashantee market, is here well known by the
name of Onoöngoo: it is a large tree, and the nuts are enclosed in a
round red pod, containing from four to six: the flower is also red, from
description. My servant, a native of Booroom, called the tree
Kirrimkoon, and the butter Incoom; the Ashantees call the latter
Sarradee; in Mallowa the tree is called Timkeëä. The nut is first
boiled, and the oil or butter afterwards expressed; in Booroom and
Mallowa it is skimmed from the surface. It tasted quite as good as fresh
butter before any salt is added, and we relished the meat fried in it
exceedingly. Being the rainy season I could neither get a sight of the
flower or the pod of this or the odica, but I procured the nuts and
produce of both. The curious may compare this butter with the specimen
of the Ashantee grease. Before I understood them to be distinct trees, I
concluded the odica and the butter both to be the produce of the cacao-
nut, but the butter answers closely to Mr. Park’s description of the
shea-tolu, though the tree did not resemble the American oak.
The Kolla nut grows on one of those trees which are supposed to sow
their own seed; it is round, and the size of an Orleans plum, having a
very hard shell, the kernel is white, and, after being exposed to the
sun for a few days, becomes even sweeter than a filbert. The natives
frequently soak them in salt water for a few weeks, and relish the rank
flavour they then acquire. They form the principal food of the lower
orders. They have a round orange coloured fruit, called Incheema, the
size varies from that of a small cocoa nut to a large one; the capsule
is very thick, and when cut yields a milky juice; a number of hard, dark
brown seeds, surrounded by a pulp, are found within, the latter only is
eaten, and when gathered fresh from the tree, is of a very delicious
flavour, not unlike that of a green gage. If the fruit is suffered to
fall from the tree, the bruise renders it unwholesome and unpalatable.
Every dark night, Tom Lawson was sure to direct me to look in the
direction of what some foolish Europeans had persuaded him must be a
diamond mountain. It lays about three days eastward of Empoöngwa in
direct distance, but from the fear of the intervening people, he had
been obliged to visit it by a circuitous route, which occupied seven
days; he lost the pieces he procured, in a skirmish on his return; they
illuminated a great circumference. It is considered a powerful fetish,
and described as a very high mountain. I must admit, that when there was
no moon, a pale but distinct light was invariably reflected from a
mountain in that quarter, and from no other.
The red and yellow ochres brought to me, were dug in the neighbourhood
of a savannah three journies south-eastward of Empoöngwa, where they
insisted there were large pits of strata, not only of red and yellow,
but of other colours. They believe, that if a man attempts to carry off
different colours at the same time, he is paralyzed on the spot. Gold
has never been found in this part of Africa.
[Illustration: Music score
EMPOÖNGWA SONG.]
[Illustration: Music score
EMPOÖNGWA SONG.]
[Illustration: Music score
Notes sung by the white Negro from Imbeekee.]
The music of Empoöngwa is, generally, very inferior to that I have
before noticed. The enchambee, their only peculiar instrument, resembles
the mandolino, but has only five strings, made from the root of the palm
tree; the neck consists of five pieces of bamboo, to which the strings
are fastened, and, slipping up and down, are easily, but not securely
tuned; it is played with both hands; the tones are sweet, but have
little power or variety. Long stories are recited to the enchambee in
the moon-light evenings, in a sort of recitative; a favourite one, is an
account of the arts by which the Sun gained the ascendancy over the
Moon, who were first made of coeval power by their common father.
No. 1, (which, I imagine, commences in F major, and ends in G major) is
an Empoöngwa air played on the enchambee. I do not know if the inversion
of words is common in their conversation as well as in their songs. A
native envies a neighbour, named Engaëlla, who has ivory to barter with
a vessel.
Amorill injanja Engaëlla; impoongee m’adgillinjanja.
A brass pan he has got Engaëlla; ivory, I have got none.
Here again we find _me_ answers to the personal pronoun I.
No. 2, in G major, is a song in which the men sing the air alone, and
the women join in the chorus. It is an old one, and the subject the
first appearance of a white man. One verse will be quite enough to
satisfy others and exculpate myself. At least half a dozen followed it.
Ma bengwoo ma bengwa baïa.
A fine strange thing, A fine strange thing, my mother.
Deboonga sai camberwoona nayennee.
Like the leaf of the fat tree,[139] true I say, so it is.
Sangwa moochoo, baïa.
I make you look to-day, my mother.
Baï yamgwan boonoo.
My mother fears this fetish man.
My patience during a series of dull Empoöngwa songs, was recompensed by
the introduction of a performer, as loathsome as his music was
astonishing. It was a white negro from the interior country of Imbeekee;
his features betrayed his race, his hair was woolly, and of a sandy
colour, with thick eye brows of the same; his eyes small, bright, and of
a dark grey; the light seemed to hurt them, and their constant quivering
and rolling gave his countenance an air of insanity, which was confirmed
by the actions of his head, and limbs, and the distortions of his mouth.
His stature was middling, and his limbs very small; his skin was
dreadfully diseased, and where it was free from sores bore the
appearance of being thrown on, it hung about him so loose and so
shrivelled; his voice was hollow, and his laugh loud, interspersed with
African howls. His harp was formed of wood, except that part emitting
the sound, which was covered with goat skin, perforated at the bottom.
The bow to which the eight strings were fixed, was considerably curved,
and there was no upright; the figure head, which was well carved, was
placed at the top of the body, the strings were twisted round long pegs,
which easily turned when they wanted tuning, and, being made of the
fibrous roots of palm wine tree, were very tough and not apt to slip.
The tone was full, harmonious, and deep. He sat on a low stool, and
supporting his harp on his knee and shoulder, proceeded to tune it with
great nicety; his hands seemed to wander amongst the strings until he
gradually formed a running accompaniment (but with little variety) to
his extraordinary vociferations. At times, one deep and hollow note
burst forth and died away; the sounds of the harp became broken;
presently he looked up, pursuing all the actions of a maniac, taking one
hand from the strings, to wave it up and down, stretching forth one leg
and drawing it up again as if convulsed, lowering the harp on to the
other foot, and tossing it up and down. Whilst the one hand continued
playing, he rung forth a peal which vibrated on the ear long after it
had ceased; he was silent; the running accompaniment served again as a
prelude to a loud recitative, uttered with the greatest volubility, and
ending with one word, with which he ascended and descended, far beyond
the extent of his harp, with the most beautiful precision. Sometimes he
became more collected, and a mournful air succeeded the recitative,
though without the least connection, and he would again burst out with
the whole force of his powerful voice in the notes of the Hallelujah of
Handel. To meet with this chorus in the wilds of Africa, and from such a
being, had an effect I can scarcely describe, and I was lost in
astonishment at the coincidence. There could not be a stronger proof of
the nature of Handel, or the powers of the negro.
I naturally enquired if this man was in his senses, and the reply was,
that he was always rational but when he played, when he invariably used
the same gestures, and evinced the same incoherency. The accompanying
notes were caught whilst he was singing; to do more than set them down
in their respective lengths, was impossible, and every notation must be
far inadequate.
As regards the words, there was such a rhapsody of recitative, of
mournful, impetuous, and exhilarated air, wandering through the life of
man, throughout the animal and vegetable kingdom for its subjects,
without period, without connection, so transient, abrupt, and
allegorical, that the Governor of the town could translate a line but
occasionally, and I was too much possessed by the music, and the
alternate rapture and phrenzy of the performer, to minute the half
which he communicated. I can only submit the fragments of a melancholy
and a descriptive part.
Burst of a man led to execution,
Yawa yawa wo wo oh
Yawa waï yawa
What have I done? what have I done?
Bewailing the loss of his mother,
Yawa gooba shangawelladi yaisa
Wo na boo, &c.
My mother dies; who’ll cry for me now
When I die? &c.
Pahmbolee gwoongee yayoo, &c.
Which path shall I seek my love?
Hark! I know now,
I hear her snap the dry sticks,
To speak, to call to me.
Jiggledy jiggledy, jiggledy, too too tee too, often invaded or broke off
a mournful strain; it was said to be an imitation of the note of a bird,
described as the wood-pecker.
Three Portuguese, one French, and two large Spanish ships, visited the
river for slaves during our stay, and the master of a Liverpool vessel
assured me that he had fallen in with 22 between Gaboon and the Congo.
Their grand rendezvous is Mayumba. The Portuguese of St. Thomas’s and
Prince’s islands send small schooner boats to Gaboon for slaves, which
are kept after they are transported this short distance, until the coast
is clear for shipping them to America. A third large Spanish ship, well
armed, entered the river the night before we quitted it, and hurried our
exit, for one of that character was committing piracy in the
neighbouring rivers. Having suffered from falling into their hands
before, I felicitated myself on the escape. We were afterwards chased
and boarded by a Spanish armed schooner, with three hundred slaves on
board; they only desired provisions.
[Footnote 129: I believe no instructions for entering the River Gabon
are in print, the following were compiled from the log-book of the Lord
Mulgrave, which has been laden in the river the three successive years
she has been chartered as a store-ship by the African Committee, and
beat into it this time. When standing for the river, from the southward,
it is best to give Round Corner a good birth, as a shoal or sand-bank
runs off between that and Sandy point, and also in case of being
becalmed, as the ground is foul and bad for anchoring. A channel goes in
by Sandy point, but it is rarely used but by small vessels. Leave Round
Corner about three leagues, and stand over for Cape Clara until you have
the river well open, then steer for a bluff point about two miles inside
of the Cape, where you will find from eight to ten fathom water. You may
stand in, till you are about two miles from the above point, and then
steer up the river, keeping the north shore aboard, and steering for the
highest land you see, which lies above Quaw Ben’s town. In mid-channel,
you will find nine fathoms, until you bring Sandy point on a line with
Cape Clara bearing S.S.E. You are then in the narrowest part of the
channel, which is not more than two or three miles wide, and your
greatest soundings will be six fathoms. When you are well inside these
bearings you may haul off from the shore at your leisure, and steer for
Parrot Island. When athwart of Quaw Ben’s town, and about five miles off
shore, you will find twelve and thirteen fathoms. In standing up from
Quaw Ben’s, give Prince Glass’s town a good birth, as a shoal runs off
to some distance, your soundings will be from seven to nine fathoms; you
may anchor on any part of the north side, without danger. Between Konig
and Parrot Islands, is very good anchorage in seven fathoms, and a soft,
muddy, bottom; thence to Abraham’s town, you will have from seven to
four fathoms at low water; and small vessels may go a considerable way
up the river, for there are three fathoms at Naängoo or George-Town
creek, about forty-five miles up the river. If you are turning into the
river, when you are within the Cape, stand no further off than into five
fathoms, for as you close the middle ground, the soundings are very
irregular; you may have five fathoms; and, before the next cast, the
ship may be ashore. The widest part of the channel, is not more than
about 5½ miles, until you are nearly athwart of Quaw Ben’s town, when
you may stand over to the south side, as you are then inside the bank.
There is a very good watering-place at Rodney’s point. Ships
unacquainted, may anchor off the Cape and wait for the sea breeze, which
generally sets in before noon.]
[Footnote 130: I am sorry to say those whom their parents have been
persuaded to entrust to English vessels for the same purpose, have
invariably been sold as slaves, in violation of every assurance; an
infamy of which the French have never been guilty in a single instance.]
[Footnote 131: Wōla is probably the Empoöngwa corruption of the original
name Quolla or Kulla, for, presuming that name to be given to it in the
Mallowa or Houssa country,[a] to denote its being a branch or arm of the
great river, dividing into it and the Gambaroo after leaving the lake
Dibbir, (Kulla being _child_ in the Mallowa,) it doubtless retains the
same name in the country known at Gaboon; not only because Mr. Brown
first reported the river Kulla (_Bahr Kulla_) and the kingdom (_Dar
Kulla_) to be situated thereabouts, but because from the following
observation of Mr. Hutchison’s, received since I wrote my geographical
chapter, it appears, that the language of the kingdom which bears the
name of the river, is at least a dialect of the Mallowa language. “I
send you the numerals of Quolla liffa, as given me by the servant boy I
have got lately, who comes from that country, which is near the
cannibals:” see Appendix, Language.]
[Footnote a: The Jennë Moors however called it Quolla, which inclined me
at first to derive its name from _Killi_, the numeral _one_ in the
Bambarra, as if to denote it the first or greatest river; as Yahndi, the
name of the capital of Dagwumba, implies its pre-eminence; _Yahndi_
being _one_ in the language of the country.]
[Footnote 132: “The information received here (at Mavoonda) of the
upward course of the river, was more distinct than any we have yet had;
all the persons we spoke to agreeing that after ten days in a canoe, we
should come to a large sandy island, which makes _two channels, one to
the north west, and the other to the north east; that in the latter
there is a fall, but that canoes are easily got above it_; that twenty
days above the island, the river issues by many small streams from a
great marsh or lake of mud.” Captain Tuckey’s Narrative. In a map,
“Regna Congo et Angola,” in Dapper’s Description de l’Afrique, 1686, a
large arm is laid down, about two hundred and fifty miles up the Zaire,
running to or coming from the north-east. As this book is scarcely
known, there being but one copy in England, it may be interesting to the
reader to see a description of the Congo and its source, according to
the geographical opinions, a century and a half ago, for 1686 is the
date of the translation from the German. Refer first to my copy of a
part of one of the many maps in Dapper’s work, p. 211. Au midi de cette
riviere (Niger) est le Zaire, ou la grande riviere de Congo qui prend sa
source de trois lacs, au sentiment de Pigaser. Le premier se nomme
Zambre d’où procede le Nil, le second Zaire d’où sortent les rivieres de
Lelunde et de Coanze, et le troisiême est un lac formé par le Nil. Mais
le principal est le Zambre qui est comme le centre d’où les fleuves de
nord le Nil, au levant Cuama et Coavo, au midi Zeila et Manice ou
Manhessen, et au couchant la riviere de Zaire, qui par divers bras
arrose toute la partie occidentale de l’Afrique, situé au delà de la
ligne, les royaumes de Congo, d’Angola, de Monomatapa, de Matamam, de
Bagamadiri et d’Agasymba jusqu’au cap de bonne-esperance; pendant que le
Nil, Cuama, Coavo, Zeila, et Manice traversent l’Abyssinie et tous les
pais qui sont entre la mer-Rouge et Cuama. L’embouchure de Zaire est à
cinq degrez quarante minutes de latitude Meridionale. Elle a trois
milles de large et se décharge dans l’ocean avec tant d’impetuosité, que
l’impression qu’elle donne à la marée, dont elle rend le cours ouëst-
nord-ouëst et nord-ouëst au nord se ressent en pleine mer, à douze
milles de la côte. Quand on a perdu la terre de vue, on découvre une eau
noire, de la verdure, des cannes et des roseaux qui ressemblent à de
petites îles, et que la violence de la marée entraine après soi du haut
des ecœuils. De sorte qu’à moins d’un vent d’arrière il est fort
difficile de resister au courant et d’aller jetter l’ancre dans la rade
de Cabo Padron. On ne sauroit remonter ce fleuve plus de vint ou vint
cinq lieues au-dessus de son embouchure, à cause des cascades qui sont
au milieu de son lit et qui s’élancent du haut des rochers avec tant de
bruit qu’on l’entend à deux ou trois lieues de là. Plusieurs ruisseaux
se déchargent ou sortent de ce fleuve et arrosent le pais: ce qui est
fort commode pour les marchands et les habitans qui peuvent aller
commodément d’un village à l’autre sur des canots. Les peuples qui
demeurent le long de ces ruisseaux sont des gens de petite taille.]
[Footnote 133: The following, which Baron Humboldt sketched before me,
(and which is only laid down in Walker’s Map of the World on the
globular projection) is a more extraordinary concatenation of rivers;
considering the opposite courses of the Orinoco and Amazon when
connected by the Casiquaire, which is more curiously situated than the
south eastern branch of the Ogooawai, flowing, through Tanyan, into the
Zaire.
[Illustration]
]
[Footnote 134: “Captain Tuckey could only learn that the paramount
Sovereign was named Blindy N’Congo, and resided at a banza named Congo,
which was six days journey, in the interior from the ‘Tall Trees,’
where, by the account of the negroes, the Portuguese had an
establishment, and where there were soldiers and white women. This place
is no doubt the St. Salvador of the Portuguese. The following is the
description in Dapper: La province de Pembo est la plus considerable de
tout le royaume dont elle contient la ville capitale, et forme comme le
centre. Cette ville porte le nom de banza chez les Ethiopiens, les
Portugais la nomment présentement S. Salvador, et Marmol l’appelloit
Ambas Congo. Elle est presque au milieu de la province, située sur une
roche fort haute, _à 76 lieues de France ou 150 milles de la mer_, au
sud-est de la riviere de Zaire, et ombragée de Palmiers, de Tamarins, de
Bacoves, de Colas, de Limoniers et d’Orangers. Le côtau sur lequel elle
est bâtie est si haut, que de dessus son sommet on porte la vue aussi
loin qu’elle se peut étendre, sans qu’aucune montagne l’arrête. Il n’y a
point de murailles autour de cette ville, si ce n’est d’un côté de
devers le Midi, que le premier roi chrétien donna aux Portugais pour les
mettre à couvert des insultes. Il fit aussi fermer de murailles son
palais et toutes les maisons royales qui sont aux environs, laissant une
place vuide où l’on bâtit ensuite un palais et un cimétiere. La cime de
la montagne est occupé par des maisons baties fort près l’une de
l’autre: les personnes de qualité en possedent la plus grande partie, et
sont des enceintes de bâtimens qui ressemblent à une petite ville. Les
habitations des personnes du commun sont rangées de file, en diverses
rues, elles sont assez grandes, mais les murailles ne sont que de
paille; excepté quelques unes que les Portugais ont faites, dont les
murs sont de brique & le toit de chaume. Le palais du roi est aussi
grand qu’une ville ordinaire; il est fermé de quatre murailles, celle
qui regarde sur le quartier des Portugais est de chaux & de pierre, les
autres ne sont que de paille, mais travaillée fort proprement. Les
murailles des sales & des chambres sont orneés de tapisseries de paille
nattées avec beaucoup d’art. Dans l’enceinte interieure du Palais, il y
a des jardins & des vergers embellis de berceaux & de pavilions fort
beaux pour le pais, quoiqu’au fond ce ne soit pas grande chose. Il y a
dix ou douze Eglises, la Cathedrale, sept chapelles dans la ville &
trois Eglises dans le chateau du Prince. Il y a aussi un couvent de
Jesuites, où trois ou quatre de ces Peres sent tous le jours le
Catechisme au peuple, & des écoles où l’on enseigne le Latin & le
Portugais. Il y a deux fontaines, l’une dans la rue de St. Jaques &
l’autre dans une cour du Palais, qui fournissent abondance d’eau
fraiche, sans qu’on se donne la peine de refaire les aqueducs ou de les
entretenir. Outre cela il y a un bras de la riviere Lelunde, qu’on nomme
Vese, qui sort au pié de la montagne, au Levant de la ville; son eau est
fort bonne, le peuple en va puiser, & elle sert à arroser & rendre
fertiles les campagnes d’alentour. On y a des pourceaux & des chevres;
mais peu de moutons & boeufs; on les renferme la nuit dans des parcs qui
sont dans la ville près des maisons.]
[Footnote 135: This panther or leopard, was sent to the Governor-in-
Chief by the King of Ashantee, and was so perfectly tame as never to be
tied up, but strolled at liberty through the apartments, playing with
the servants and children. It was presented to the Duchess of York, and
died at Exeter ’Change, a short time after it landed, of an inflammation
on the lungs. The extraordinary playfulness and good humour of the
animal, and the preservation of its health and tameness during a four
months voyage, (during the colder part of which he banquetted
sumptuously on dead parrots) made the loss very mortifying.]
[Footnote 136: The description the natives give of this animal agrees
extraordinarily with that of the Quoja Morrou in Dapper.
Les Quojas Morrou, dont on a parlé dans le royaume de Quoja, naissent
dans le royaume d’Angola. Comme cet animal tient beaucoup de l’homme,
bien des gens ont cru qu’il étoit issu d’un homme & d’un singe, mais les
Negres même rejettent cette opinion. Il y a trente ou quarante ans qu’on
apporta en Hollande un de ses animaux, dont on fit present à son Altesse
le Prince Frederic Henri. Il étoit de la grandeur d’un enfant de trois
ans, _mais il avoit bien le double d’épais, étant d’une taille carreé_,
fort vigoureux & agile: _car il levoit des choses fort pesantes & les
portoit d’un lieu en un autre_. Le devant de son corps étoit nud, mais
le dos étoit couvert de poil noir. Sa face avoit quelque chose d’humain,
mais son nez étoit plat & retroussé. Ses oreilles, son sein, et ses
mamelles, ses coudes ses mains, le bas de son ventre & ses parties
naturelles, ses jambes & ses pieds resembloient parfaitement à ceux
d’une femme, parce que c’étoit un animal femelle. _Il se tenoit debout &
marchoit souvent tout droit; il buvoit fort proprement, portant, d’une
main le pot à la bouche et le soutenant de l’autre; il se couchoit de
même, mettoit sa tête sur un chevet, ajustoit la couverture sur son
corps, & à le voir ainsi étendu on l’auroit pris pour un homme_. Aussi
les Negres rapportent-ils des choses prodigieuses de cet animal; ils
assurent qu’il force des femmes & des filles, _& qu’il ose s’en prendre
à des hommes armez_. Et selon toutes les apparences c’est là ce Satyre
si celebre chez les Anciens, dont Pline & les poëtes ont tant parlé par
oui-dire & sur des rapports incertains.]
[Footnote 137: “Les Botanistes remarquent même très fréquemment ces
accidens de couleurs dans les plantes venues en lieux agrestes. Je n’en
citerai qu’un exemple entre mille. Sur les rives sauvages du Volga et du
Samara, Pallas a trouvé l’_Anemone patens_ chargé de périanthes tantôt
bleus, tantôt blancs, tantôt jaunes.”—Mirbel 1ère partie, p. 264.]
[Footnote 138: “India rubber is obtained from the milky juice of
different plants in hot countries. The chief of these are, the Jatropha
elastica and Urceola elastica. The juice is applied in successive
coatings on a mould of clay, and dried by the fire or in the sun, and
when of a sufficient thickness the mould is crushed and the pieces
shaken out.” Nicholson.
“It has been discovered that caoutchouc is not exclusively the produce
of the Heven caoutchouc, but that it is furnished by several other
plants. We know it to be obtained in large quantities from the Jatropha
elastica of South America, and Dr. Roxburgh has given us a description
of an Indian plant (Urceola elastica) which affords a juice that when
thickened has all the properties of the caoutchouc. We moreover know
that the milky exudations of the Jack tree (Artocarpus integrifolia) the
Banyan tree (Ficus Indica) and also that of the Arasum tree (Ficus
religiosa) possess nearly similar qualities.” Ainslie’s Materia Medica
of Hindoostan.]
[Footnote 139: The vegetable butter.]