49 
found scattered along the sea-coast, and on the banks of 
rivers or of inland waters; some permanently occupied, 
others only temporary residences of convenience in pursuit 
of calling. Alongside these, sometimes at a distance, the 
fishing-canoes are hauled up and picketed. 
Lake Dwellings. 
Swiss lake dwellings and Scotch crannogs of the past 
have afforded, especially of late, considerable attraction, and 
on the subject, by way of comparative interest in like 
structures of the present time, I am reminded of the lake 
dwellings of certain tribes who surround or live on the 
sheet of water known as the Denham waters, lying behind 
the Dahomean sea-board, and the rivers that flow into it, 
As the male occupants are mainly fishermen, or fishermen 
and farmers combined, I do not hesitate to include in this 
paper some notes of my experience of them. 
During my administrations of the Government of Lagos 
I paid several visits to these waters—in fact have steamed 
through the water streets of the towns and villages to 
which I refer—and had thus the opportunity of observing 
for myself the modes of life on which I would ask per- 
mission to briefly dwell. Interest in the subject will be 
perhaps enhanced when I mention that these waters have, 
I believe, given rise to diplomatic correspondence in conse- 
quence of the acceptance by the French of the protectorate 
of the kingdom of Porto Novo. 
These tribes are the Kdatanus, Esos, and Whemians, 
who have not fishing resorts erected for convenience, but 
occupy large native villages and towns built entirely out 
and over the water. 
The question naturally suggests itself, what is the cause 
[33] E 
