NATIVE HABITATIONS. 417 



and a variety of profuse vegetation was spread 

 over the face of nature. The soil is rich, and 

 the numerous vegetables (among which the pur- 

 ple and white yams are abundant) planted in 

 the gardens of the natives, are most prolific* 

 The habitations, as I have before noticed, are 

 raised upon posts, which I should suppose, in 

 these marshy situations, are intended to guard 

 against the miasmata which must rise from the 

 surface of the ground after the rains, and to the 

 influence of which the inhabitants would be 

 much exposed, if their dwellings were not placed 

 on an elevated site. The plain is beautiful, and 

 the back-ground of the landscape is terminated 

 by mountains, varying in elevation, and extend- 

 ing in a direction principally from east to west ;1[ 

 sometimes covered by fleecy clouds, and at 

 others, glowing in the varying and beautiful 

 tints of a setting sun, which cast its expiring 

 rays, undimmed by a cloud, over the towering 

 masses. 



After walking in the vicinity of the village, — 

 for our guides evinced no desire of taking us 



* Among which the Caladium costatum, or Berar of the 

 natives, was also seen planted ; the root of which is eaten 

 by them, after it has been previously washed in water for 

 some time. 



f The mountains behind Pedir range in various directions. 



VOL. I. E E 



