ITS ADVANTAGES. 125 



Mr. Lander, accompanied by Captain Hill, 

 went on shore several times, and described 

 the view from the town as most splendid. 

 The Kong mountains are seen in the dis- 

 tance stretching from west north-west to south- 

 east, and from their tabular appearance, I 

 apprehended, would prove to be of the trap 

 formation. The hill on which Attah stands 

 appears to be some conglomerate,* and forms 

 the extremity of a low range of hills which con- 

 stitutes the eastern boundary of the river. The 

 appearance of the western bank is strikingly 

 beautiful, and I anticipated much benefit to all 

 the survivors by the change from the low and 

 monotonous scenery. An observation by Captain 

 Hill placed Attah in lat. 7° 61' N. It is healthy, 

 and the only place we have yet seen in the river 

 where a European could possibly exist for any 

 length of time. It has many natural advantages, 

 and on some future day will be a place of great 

 importance. Situated as it is above the alluvial 

 soil and at the entrance to the valley of the 

 Niger, it commands at present the whole trade 

 of the interior ; which trade, although trifling at 



* It is very similar to the volcanfc bluffs at Clarence 

 Cove, Fernando Po. 



