_ from a small calabash, but common clay-pipes are also used: it is 
10 DIAMBA, OR “CONGO TOBACCO.” 
A story js told of its discovery by a huntsman, who observed a 
number of antelopes, who had browsed upon the Diamba, to be stupi- 
fied; and having informed his neighbours of the extraordinary cir- 
cumstance, they repaired in a body to the spot. The approach of the 
people, or firing of their muskets, had, however, no effect in rousing 
the animals to a sense of their danger, and accordingly they were all 
quickly despatched. 
It is well known to the Portuguese on this coast. Its seed was 
brought to Sierra Leone by Congoes captured by one of our cruisers, 
and is now distributed over the colony. It is chiefly cultivated and 
prepared by these people or their descendants, but it is also grown by 
the Akoos, Eboes, and many of the other liberated African tribes, and 
likewise by the Maroons, Settlers, and Creoles. 
The average height of this annual bushy shrub here varies from six 
to seven feet, but in fertile soils it attains the height of twelve or 
thirteen feet ; and some of the larger plants occupy a space of twenty 
feet in circumference ! 
It is sown in April or May, and shoots up in three or four days, but 
its growth is, from time to time, retarded by nipping off the points of 
the top and lateral branches. It flowers in August, ripens in October 
or November, when the flowers are plucked off. In December the 
leaves are removed, when it withers, and is rooted up, the branches 
being tied up and used as brooms. A second crop, sown in September, 
and watered during the dry season, ripens in January or February. 
The flowers, exposed to the sun or fire, slowly dried, and mixed with 
the seed, are the parts of the plant preferred, and in this state the drug is 
termed Maconie. The leaflets are similarly prepared, but only employed 
when the former cannot be procured, as this preparation, called Makiah, 
is apt to cause violent headache. . a e 
_ It is smoked from a large wooden pipe or reed, called Condo 
, or 
extensively consumed by many of the liberated Africans and Creoles, 
who frequently meet at each other’s houses, to enjoy the luxury and 
soothing influence of Diamba. Upon these occasions the pipe is handed 
about from mouth to mouth, and soon produces the desired intoxicating 
effect. The smoke, twice or thrice drawn into the mouth, is there 
detained, and a large portion is swallowed, as it slowly passes off by 
the nostrils: most agreeable sensations soon follow, and excitement 
