GENERAL OBSERVATIOXS. 357 



step the hoop is moved upward with the hand, and in this 

 way they ascend and descend the highest trees with great 

 expedition : should the hoop give way, the consequence 

 must be fatal. 



They have no want of domestic animals to serve them 

 a^ food, though very litde care appears to be bestowed on 

 them. They consist chiefly of goats, hogs, fowls, the com- 

 mon and Muscovy duck, and pigeons; a few sheep, gene- 

 rally black and white, Avith hair instead of wool. The 

 Chenoo of Embomma had obtained from the Portuguese 

 a few horned cattle, but no pains whatever were taken to 

 increase the breed. They have no beasts of burden of 

 any description. Of wild animals the country produces 

 great variety, but the natives are too indolent and inex- 

 pert to convert them to any useful purpose. They have 

 elephant's, leopards, lions, buffaloes, large monkeys with 

 black faces, and numerous species of antelopes, with which 

 Africa every where abounds; wild hogs, porcupines, hares, 

 and a great variet}^ of other ({uadrupeds, from which an 

 active people would derive important advantages. Guinea 

 fowl and red legged partridges are also abundant, large, 

 and fine ; and wild pigeons, of three or four species, very 

 plentiful. 



The country appears to be remarkably free from teazing 

 and noxious insects, excepting bugs and fleas in the huts, 

 and the black ants, which erect those singular mushroom- 

 shaped habitations, some of which have two or three domes, 

 and sometimes occur in whole villages. The party suffered 

 no annoyance from scorpions, scolopeudras, musquitoes, 



