112 THE QUORRA AGROUND. 



Bonny.* We crossed the Benin branch, and 

 found it about eight hundred yards wide, with a 

 depth varying from ten feet to six fathoms. The 

 Bonny branch appeared to run out in a south 

 south-east direction ; but as we were some dis- 

 tance from it, I cannot speak from personal know- 

 ledge of its size and depth. On the sandy point 

 that formed its entrance were a great number of 

 temporary barracoons, and nine or ten canoes, one 

 or two of which had trade puncheons in them : 

 they were evidently trading for palm-oil, the 

 bank being covered with immense quantities of 

 the gourds in which the natives collect it. 



The river after throwing off these branches ap- 

 peared about fifteen hundred yards wide, divided 

 by sandy islands which were overgrown with 

 long grass. The marks on the banks would indi- 

 cate these to be entirely covered when the river 

 is swollen. About eight in the morning, we 

 passed a branch flowing in from the north-east, 

 but apparently shallow. It is about four hun- 

 dred yards wide, and above it are several popu- 

 lous villages. 



At two in the afternoon, in crossing the river, 

 we ran aground. Fortunately we were only going 

 * What I presume to be tliose rivers. 



