FERNANDO PO. 303 



which form their favourite food : deer they do 

 not eat, from some prejudice or superstition, 

 much the same perhaps as that which makes us 

 prefer the deer to the monkey. 



I do not think that slavery is known amongst 

 them ; they certainly do not trade in human flesh, 

 and have several times had bloody engagements 

 with slavers who have landed and attempted to 

 surprise and carry them off. This may explain 

 their free and independent bearing, contrasted 

 with the abject demeanour of the Calebar and 

 Cameroons people, to both of which places I took 

 my friend, the chief Cut-throat, and several of his 

 tribe, and was much struck with the comparison. 



The improvement which has taken place in 

 the island, is not visible in the outward appear- 

 ance of the natives, as they still go perfectly 

 naked, and plaster themselves over with oil and 

 clay. But as they are beginning to collect palm- 

 oil and bring it to market, there is little doubt 

 that the comforts and conveniences of civilised life 

 which they receive in return for produce will 

 silently and gradually improve their condition. 



Fernando Po is of volcanic formation, in com- 

 mon with the other islands in the Bight of Biafra, 

 and most probably forms part of the great vol- 

 canic chain which appears to run from the paral- 



