building, such as porphyry, jasper, and marble of various colours; and from which whole columns, with their capitals and bases, might be dug up entire. A stone is also found here, in which many beautiful hyacinths are dispersed, that may be easily separated from the mass; but they are generally suffered to remain in their natural state, and to be erected with it into buildings, which thereby make a brilliant and magnificent appearance.

In this kingdom are annually two harvests, the first in April, the second in December. In cultivating the earth, they use neither plough nor spade; but when there seems to be a prospect of rain, the women set fire to all the herbs and roots which grow on the land destined for the future crop; and when the first shower has fallen, they turn up the earth with a kind of hoe ́in one hand, and sow the seed, which hangs in a bag by their sides, with the other. This employment is generally rendered more laborious to the women, by the weight of their children, who are hung at their backs, in order to prevent their receiving any injury from the variety of poisonous insects with which this country abounds.

Congo produces various kinds of grain, one of which, called luco, greatly resembles mustard-seed, and yields a fine sort of meal, not much inferior to flour. Other kinds are known by the names of Congo and Portugal rice. This country also abounds with maize, and a species of pulse unknown in Europe, which grows on a shrub that exists for two or three years, and which yields an abundance of fruit every six months. The mandois is a species of pulse that grows under-ground, and deserves particular notice; the natives extract milk from it similar to that which is drawn from

almonds,

almonds. There is also another kind of pulse called incumbe, which in size and form greatly resembles a musquet-ball: and from both these last, the natives are furnished with a pleasant and wholesome nutriment. The Congoese pulverize and make into bread, vast quantities of the mandioca, or manioc-root, the cultivation of which is peculiarly attended to. Little or no labour is requisite for growing the several hortulane productions known in Europe; and there are many herbs to which we are unable to assign names.

Many of the trees of this country are of a prodi gious size; and the chief of which is the ensada, that has a very thick trunk, and grows to an uncommon height. The top of this tree has a profusion of branches from which small strings of a yellowish colour descend to the ground, where they take root, and produce fresh plants; these in like manner, in a little time, protrude branches from their summits, which also take root, and spring up as before; insomuch that a single tree, by means of this repeated production, will frequently extend its branches a thousand paces, and form a very effectual shelter for a small army. The leaves of the tender boughs are similar to those of the quince-tree; and the fruit, which resembles a fig, and is red, grows between the leaves. Within the outer bark of the ensada is a fibrous substance, which being cleansed, beaten, and extended, is manufactured into a kind of cloth. The mirronetree possesses the same qualities as the ensada; but it is regarded with religious veneration, and planted by the inhabitants near their dwellings. Both these appear to be species of the banyan-tree, which is so common in Hindostan. With the wood of the mosuma-tree, the natives make canoes, which are

so extremely light, that they will not sink even when filled with water. This tree grows by the river Zaire, and produces a kind of silky cotton, with which the Congoese make personal orna

ments.

The fruits common to this part of Africa, are ananas, anones, bananas, arosdses, pompions, melons, cucumbers, citrons, oranges, and lemons; with a great variety of other natural productions of an exquisite taste. The cola fruit, in particu lar, which is about the size of a pine-apple, is both delicious and medicinal; the quajava, which greatly resembles a pear; the granate plum; and the maginette, a grain that possesses the qualities of pepper. There is also a variety of other trees and fruits, which are said to possess peculiar virtúes; but the most extraordinary is the mignamigna, one part of which is celebrated for producing poison, against which the other part furnishes an antidote: should any person, for instance, unwarily eat the fruit, which very much resembles a small lemon, he must have recourse to the leaves; or should he be poisened by the leaves, the fruit will counteract their pernicious tendency.

The grass here is so high and thick, that it affords one of the most dangerous receptacles for a variety of wild and voracious beasts and venomous insects. This circumstance renders travelling in this country extremely difficult. The inhabitants know no other means of delivering themselves from these dangers, than by setting fire to the grass when it is dry. On these occasions, the animals, driven from their retreat by the flames, become furious, and attack all they meet, however numerous. Travellers, who perceive the fire at a distance, have no other alternative to save themselves

from

from the lions, tigers, serpents, or venomous in sects, than to climb a tree as fast as possible, in which the negroes are exceedingly expert; but the Europeans, who are less accustomed to such ma nœuvres, are more inactive, and under the necessity of carrying with them ladders of ropes, which the negroes fasten for them to the branches of

trees.

Of the animals which seem peculiar to this part of Africa, the dante, or lante, appears to be most remarkable. When this creature is slightly wounded, it will follow the scent of gun-powder with such fury, that the hunter has no other resource left for avoiding it, than by climbing a tree with all possible speed, from whence he may take another aim in safety. The flesh of this animal is esteemed delicious; and both the natives and wild beasts wage incessant war against it. The latter of these enemies, however, it frequently contrives to overcome by herding in large companies, in which are seldom less than one hundred at a time; but what animal strength or sagacity can sufficiently guard against the power and knowledge of the former!

The nsossi, about the bigness of a cat, of an ashcolour, and with two small horns on its head, is also very remarkable. It is, perhaps, the most timid creature that exists, starts at the least noise or breath of air, and never dares to satisfy its hunger or thirst, without repeatedly leaving its food or drink, and running as if pursued. Its flesh has an exquisite taste; and its skin is converted by the natives into bow-strings. This country also abounds with the elephant, the rhinoceros, the red buffalo, zebra, elk, lion, tiger, leopard, bear, wild boar, wolf, fox, civet-cat, ape, baboon, and ourang

outang.

outang. There is also great plenty of tame animals and domestic fowls, with all the different species of European game.

There are a great number and variety of land and sea-fowls. The ostriches are of an unusual magnitude; the peacocks have feathers which are formed into elegant umbrellas, and even constitute the ensigns and standards of the army of the king of Angola; and the parrots are numerous, beautiful, and various, some of them being no larger than sparrows, but of a fine shape, and gaudy plumage. The musical birds, however, are the most famous of all the aërial inhabitants of this country: they are rather larger than the bird, and of beautiful colours; some being wholly red, and others, green, white, or black; but these last are the most esteemed for their sweet and harmonious notes, which in their modulation greatly resemble the articulation of the human voice.

canar

ry

Congo is infested with a variety of reptiles; and some of the serpents, it has been asserted, are of such astonishing magnitude, that they will swallow a whole sheep. It is probable that this account is exaggerated; but there unquestionably are many monstrous and venomous snakes, as well as scorpies, from which the very dwellings of the natives are not exempt, being as commonly infested with these noxious creatures, as European houses are with rats, mice, and other domestic vermin.

Notwithstanding the multitude of slaves annually drawn from this country, Congo is extremely populous. This is owing to the great fecundity of their women; and it is, therefore, pretended that without this perpetual emigration, without wars, and the mortality occasioned by epidemical diseases, and without famines, the country would be VOL. XIV. C overstocked