Chap. XX. BANKS OF THE LUCALLA. 403 



larities." The effort of the Marquis to improve the mode of 

 manufacturing iron was thus rendered abortive. Labour and 

 subsistence are, however, so very cheap that almost any amount 

 of work can be executed, at a cost that renders expensive esta- 

 blishments unnecessary. 



A party of native miners and smiths is still kept in the employ- 

 ment of the Government, who, working the rich black magnetic 

 iron-ore, produce for the Government, from 480 to 500 bars of 

 good malleable iron every month. They are supported by the 

 appropriation of a few thousands of a small fresh-water fish, 

 called " cacusu," a portion of the tax levied upon the fishermen 

 of the Coanza. This fish is so much relished in the country, that 

 those who do not wish to eat them can easily convert them into 

 money. The Commandant of the district of Massangano, for 

 instance, has a right to a dish of three hundred every morning, as 

 part of his salary. Shell-fish are also found in the Coanza, and 

 the " Peixemulher," or woman-fish, of the Portuguese, which is 

 probably a Manatee. 



The banks of the Lucalla are very pretty, well planted with 

 orange-trees, bananas, and the palm (Ulceis Guineenszs) which 

 yields the oil of commerce. Large plantations of maize, manioc, 

 and tobacco, are seen along both banks, which are enlivened by 

 the frequent appearance of native houses embosomed in dense 

 shady groves, with little boys and girls playing about them. The 

 banks are steep, the water having cut out its bed in dark red 

 alluvial soil. Before every cottage a small stage is erected, to 

 which the inhabitants may descend to draw water without danger 

 from the alligators. Some have a little palisade made in the 

 water for safety from these reptiles, and others use the shell of 

 the fruit of the baobab-tree attached to a pole about ten feet long, 

 with which, while standing on the high bank, they may draw 

 water without fear of accident. 



Many climbing plants run up the lofty silk, cotton, and baobab 

 trees, and hang then beautiful flowers in gay festoons on the 

 branches. As we approach Massangano, the land on both banks 

 of the Lucalla becomes very level, and large portions are left 

 marshy after the annual floods ; but all is very fertile. As an 

 illustration of the strength of the soil, I may state, that we saw 

 tobacco-plants in gardens near the confluence eight feet high, and 



2 D 2 



