312 PROFESSOR SMITH’S JOURNAL. 
which we afterwards boiled, and found to be eatable. We 
returned in the dark quite loaded. 
During our whole excursion we did not meet with any 
animal, a few pigeons and small birds excepted, but we saw 
a great many traces of hippopotami on the shore. Simons 
was sent to the Tjenu of Benda, in order to procure some 
men who were acquainted with the country higher up. 
His account of Benda would seem to prove that the inha- 
bitants have some intercourse with the Portuguese. He 
was ceremoniously received. 
August 9th. We sailed somewhat higher up. I passed 
over to the north side of the river. The vegetation is with- 
out variety, and the steep hills overgrown with grass, in 
which was only found growing an Euphorbia. I fired 
three shots at an alligator. In the evening it was resolved 
that we should go to Banza Nokki, the residence of a Tjenu, 
by the way of Condo Sonjo. The north side is generally 
called Benda. 
August 10th. Simons was dispatched to announce the 
intended visit of the Captain. Early in the morning we 
set out on our journey, and proceeded over the hills and 
across the small plain, where we had been two days before. 
The slate formation here ceases. The rounded mountains 
on the other side rise to a greater height, with projecting 
cliffs of a more cubical form. ‘The transition is formed by 
a compact mica-slate with a large proportion of “sa 
The . . . . ofthe mica mountains : 
perhaps sienite. Itis granular as granite, and catipidaea of 
quartz, feldspar and a third metallic substance. Blocks of 
