264 PROFESSOR SMITH'S JOURNAL. 



youno-. It is however a phenomenon which is generally 

 known, has often been described, and is owing to myriads 

 of infused animalculse. I examined some of them taken 

 in this blood-coloured water : Avhen highly magnified, they 

 do not appear larger than the head of a small pin. They 

 were at first in a rapid motion, which however soon 

 ceased, and at the same instant the whole animal separated 

 into a number of small spherical particles. The sea has 

 again assumed a reddish appearance ; but this is probably 

 owing to mud, that has been dissolved. We have of late 

 not had any sick on board. When we were in the bay of 

 Guinea, several symptoms of a putrid fever were dis- 

 covered ; but this disorder, as also a peripneumonia that 

 frequently occurred, and sometimes was very violent, 

 were easily cured, 



July 1st. This morning we found ourselves near the 

 coast at the large mouth of the river Loango Luisa, on 

 the south side of it. This river is called Caconga in the 

 chart; and in the place where Loango Luisa is marked, 

 no river exists. The coast before us had perpendicular 

 cliffs towards the sea. Its banks consist of a reddish 

 substance, which, as far as may be judged from a piece of 

 about one foot in length, which was taken up with the anchor, 

 is a hardened chalky clav or marl. Their upper part, 

 which is flat, is over-grown with scattered groups of palms 

 and other solitary trees. The bay of IMalambo is situated 

 lower down within the banks. The harbour of Malambo, 

 as also that of Cabenda, which is next to it, were formerly 

 the principal trading-places of the French on this coast. 



