272 RUINS OF IRON-FOUNDRY. Chap. XX. 



other covering than the shade of trees. The seeds are con- 

 veyed to different spots by the birds, which eat the outer 

 rind, and throw the kernel on the ground. As the plant 

 cannot bear the direct rays of the sun, all that is necessary, 

 when a number of trees are discovered in a forest, is to clear 

 away the brushwood, and leave as many of the tall trees as 

 will afford good shade to the coffee-plants below. 



The wealth of this district is such, that with only a 

 population of 13,822 it yields an annual tribute to the 

 Government of thirteen hundred cotton cloths, each 5 feet by 

 18 or 20 inches. 



Accompanied by the Commandant of Cazengo, I proceeded 

 in a canoe down the Lucalla to Massangano. The river is 

 about 85 yards wide, and navigable for canoes up to about 

 six miles above the confluence of the Luinha. Near this 

 latter point stand the massive ruins of an iron-foundry, 

 erected in 1768 by the famous Marquis of Fombal. The effort 

 of the Marquis to improve the mode of manufacturing iron 

 was rendered abortive by the death of the European labourers 

 whom he introduced in order to instruct the natives. At 

 the present time a certain quantity of malleable iron (about 

 500 bars a month) is produced by native workmen in the 

 employ of Government. The pay of these men consists of 

 a certain number of a fish called " cacusu," which is much 

 esteemed in this country : what they do not want to consume 

 they can readily sell. 



Large plantations of maize, manioc, and tobacco are seen 

 along both banks of the Lucalla, and the scenery is enlivened 

 by the frequent appearance of native houses embosomed in 

 shady groves of orange-trees, bananas, and the palm (Elois 

 Guineensis) which yields the oil of commerce. The banks are 

 steep, the water having cut out its bed in a dark red alluvial 

 soil. Before every cottage a small stage is erected, by which 

 the inhabitants descend to draw water without danger from 

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

 to protect them from these reptiles, while others use the shell 

 ot the fruit of the baobab-tree attached to a pole about ten 

 feet long, with which they may draw water from the top of 

 the high bank. Many climbing plants run up the lofty 

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



