XIV INTRODUCTION. 



main features, is quite difFereirt in some particulars. The lower countries, from Lagos to Idiaye at Oyer, 

 are remarkable for a rather strong breeze which blows incessantly from the sea, generally from the south- 

 west, but varying occasionally to the west or south. The course of this wind must be attributed cliiefly 

 to the shape of this part of the continent. If it were occasioned by the heat of the Great Desert, I 

 suppose it would continue to blow in, the same direction for several hundred miles into the interior of the 

 country. In point of fact, however, the winds at Ogbomoso, especially in the dry season, are 

 very variable. 



In consequence of the south-western breeze, the climate of the low country is quite damp, the dews 

 very heavy, and the niglit air so chilly that we found it dangerous to go out after twilight. But during my 

 stay at Il9rir), in April, 1855, the nights were so much warmer than any I had before experienced in 

 Africa that, instead of being obliged to retire to my room immediately after sunset, I found it pleasant to 

 walk in the yard of the house at or 10 o'clock in the evening, and sometimes without a coat. 



As there are no swamps in this country, it is probable that all the interior regions of Yoruba, 

 particularly those of the northern watershed sloping towards the Niger, are as healthy as any other 

 country within the tropics. I believe that the natives at least enjoy as good health as those of any part 

 of the temperate zone. 



Yoruba has the advantage of two rainy seasons. The "former rains" commence about the first of 

 March, and increase till the sun has reached the Tropic of Cancer. After the middle of July there is 

 little rain till about the first of October ; then the "latter rains" commence, and continue for about two 

 months. During December, January, and February, there is no rain except an occasional shower 

 produced by a chilly wind from the north-east, which is called Oye by the natives, and Ilarmattan by the 

 whites. But the moisture produced by these showers is speedily evaporated by the excessive dryness of 

 the Harmattan, which generally continues to blow for two or three days. The eff'ects of the dry season 

 are very decided ; the grass on the prairies is withered and dried up, many kinds of trees cast their 

 leaves, and most of the smaller streams cease to flow. 



During my stay in the country, the thennometer ranged from 60° (when the Harmattan was blowing) 

 to 9l'S° on one occasion at Ogbomoso. The highest reading at Idzaye was 93°, and the lowest 68°. 

 The average for the dry season, both at Idiaye and Ogbomoso, wiis about the same, viz. within a 

 fraction of 82°, The differences indicated by the wet and dry bulbs of the hygrometer during the dry 

 season varied from 0'2°, one morning after rain had fallen, to 25° under the influence of the Harmattan ; 

 and the averages for December, January, and February, were 5° at Idzaye, and 9° at Ogbomosg, fifty 

 miles further in the interior. At the latter place, during the two rainy seasons, including the interval of 

 delightful weather between them, the thermometer varied from V0° to 85°, and the hygrometer from 0'6° 

 to 9°. 



THE YORUBA PEOPLE. 



PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ORIGIN. 



The Yorubas arc black and have woolly hair, but we occasionally meet with individuals who are fully 

 as light-colored as American Indians. Tliis color is hereditary in certain families ; and it is a curious fact 

 that, although it may seem to be lost, it sometimes reappeai-s in subsequent generations. Individuals of this 

 color are found not only among the Yorubas and other tribes of the interior, but among the Iboes, and 

 even among the Kroomen. They are called "red men" in Africa, though their color is not exactly that of 

 Indians, nor yet of mulattoes, and is something wholly distinct from albinism. Several entire tribes of 

 red men are found in the interior. The people of Ilorir) spoke of a tribe of pastoral people called Alabawo, 

 Hide-wearers, who are said to be decidedly light-colored. They build no towns, but live in leather tents, 

 which they pitch in the form of a circular village, and remove from place to place for the sake of 

 pasturage. Their language is said to be the Fulfude or Fellatah ; but they have no political connexion 

 with the other Pulohs of Central Africa. They are Mohammedans, acquainted with books, excellent 

 horsemen, brave, and rapacious. Caille mentions a tribe of Fulahs who were heathens and quite distinct 

 from other Fulahs in language and habits. In fact they were not Fulahs, although resembling them in 

 color. The Mandingoes, also, and others in that region, are not true negroes, either in color or features. 



It seems reasonable to suppose that the red men among the Yorubas had the same origin as the red 

 Pulohs and other red tribes of the interior. On the other hand, it is unnecessary to refer the light color 

 of these people to climate or to other conjectural causes, when we have good evidence that an extensive 

 amalgamation of the black and white races has taken place in the countries where most of the mulattoes 



