136 THE RIVER ADO. 



adapted for trade ; though ivory is more expen- 

 sive there than higher up the river, in conse- 

 quence of its having to pass through the hands 

 of more traders. During the rainy, or winter 

 season, it is very unhealthy : it is situated near 

 the line dividing the healthy from the unhealthy 

 country, and is too near the sea-side to have the 

 clear, bright atmosphere of Rabbah or Egga. 

 The river as we passed down presented a most 

 imposing appearance, being two and a half or 

 three miles wide, with banks of four, five, seven, 

 and eight feet high. The course of the river 

 below Iddah was south-south-west. 



At 11. 30 A. M. we passed the branch of a river 

 on the right, running north-north-east, with a fine 

 opening, and winding a little to the eastward : it 

 is called by the natives Ado : Al Hadge, our inter- 

 preter, stated that it runs through a country where 

 the natives mark their faces with stripes radiating 

 from the mouth, like the Yarriba people. Lilly's 

 account is, that it runs behind the Eboe country, 

 and that the natives mark their arms and legs 

 with longitudinal lines. A market is held at the 

 opening of the river, when the water is low. 

 Rum is brought to the Ado people from a place 

 ten days' journey. It is my opinion that the 



