DISTRICT OF AMBACA. 189 



increased to a drop every 5 seconds, or 12 drops per minute, 

 making 1 pint (16 ounces) in every 24 hours. I then cut the 

 branch so much that, during the day, it broke ; but they still 

 went on at the rate of a drop every 5 seconds, while another 

 colony on a branch of the same tree gave a drop every 17 

 seconds only, or at the rate of about 10 ounces 4f drachms in 24 

 hours. I finally cut off the branch ; but this was too much for 

 their patience, for they immediately decamped, as insects will 

 do from either a dead branch or a dead animal, which Indian 

 hunters soon know, when they sit down on a recently killed 

 bear. The presence of greater moisture in the air increased the 

 power of these distillers : the period of greatest activity was in 

 the morning, when the air and everything else was charged 

 with dew." 



A splendid country was tempting them, which could be 

 reached by turning aside only a little to the west; and though 

 deeply interested in the delightful district of M. Canto, the 

 traveller contented himself to give up again the enjoyments of 

 a home for the hard path. The country through which he 

 passed before coming to the far-famed " Rocks of Pungo An- 

 dongo " was not new to him, because it was on the route by 

 which he came some months before. Then, however, he had 

 been unable to appreciate its beauties ; indeed, unable even to 

 notice the names and locations of points of interest as he passed 

 them. He was then so worn out by fever that he had forgotten 

 the days of the week and the names of his companions. But 

 now he could look away to the lofty mountains with real de- 

 light, and the splendid valleys of the numerous little streams, 

 teeming with herds and waving their agricultural wealth so 

 proudly in his view, charmed him. In the midst of a land- 

 scape so beautiful it was a disappointment to find only a paltry 

 village hiding itself as if ashamed in a recess of the mountains. 

 The town of Ambaca has the same history which makes nearly 

 all of the towns of Angola gloomy : it is the story of failure — 

 departed glory. There were the ruins of a church, and a jail in 

 good repair, which tells the whole story of the Portuguese 

 efforts in the country. The church system was too benevolent; 

 the Jesuits loved the natives too much. The church did not 

 fill the pockets of the Portuguese settlers or afford a revenue to 



