SJcetch of the Life of Mr* David Douglas. 333 



fern, same smaller species of the same tribe, and a curious kind 

 of composite, like an Eupatorium. At about four miles and a 

 half from the bay, we entered the wood, through which there is 

 a tolerably cleared path, the muddy spot being rendered passable 

 by the stems or trunks of tree fems, laid close together crosswise. 

 They seemed to be the same species I had observed on the ascent 

 to Mouna Kuah. About an hours walk brought us throuGrh the 

 wood, and we then crossed another open plain of three miles and a 

 half at the upper end of which, in a most beautiful situation, stand 

 the church, and close to it, the chief's house. Some heavy showers 

 had drenched us through ; still, as soon as our friend arrived, and 

 the needful arrangements were made, I started, and continued 

 the ascent, over a very gently rising ground, in a southerly direc- 

 tion, passing through some delightful country, interspersed with low 

 timber. At night we halted at a house, of which the owner was a 

 very civil person^ though remarkably talkative. Four old women 

 were inmates of the same dwelling, one of whom, eighty years of 

 age, with hair white as snow, was engaged in feeding two favorite 

 cats with fish. My little terrier disputed the fare with them, to 

 the no small annoyance of their mistress. A well looking young 

 female amused me with sino;ino', while she was ensrao-ed in the 

 process of cooking a dog on heated stones. I also observed a 

 handsome young man whose very strong stiff black hair was allow- 

 ed to grow to a great length on the top of his head, while it was 

 cut close over the ears, and falling down on the back of his head 

 and neck had all the appearance of a Roman helmet." 



'' January the 23rd. This morning the old lady was engaged in 

 feeding a dog with fox-like-ears, instead of her cats. She compelled 

 the poor animal to swallow poe, by cramming it into his 

 mouth, and what he put out at the sides, she took up and ate 

 herself ; this she did as she informed me by way of fattening the 

 dog for food. A little while before day break my host went to the 

 door of the lodge, and after calling over some extraordinary words 

 which would seem to set orthography at defiance a loud grunt 

 in response from under the thick shade of some adjoining tree 

 ferns was followed by the appearance of a fine large black pig, which 

 coming at his master's call was forthwith caught and killed for 

 the use of myself and my attendants. The meet was cooked on 

 heated stones, and three men were kindly sent to carry it to the 



* HidsBay. 



