282 PUNGO ANDONGO. Crap. XXI 



of tli8 quantity of water in the vessel. This alone was 

 wanting to make it certain that they draw water from the 

 atmosphere. 



December 14t7i. — Both myself and my men having recovered 

 from severe attacks of fever, we left the hospitable residence 

 of Mr. Canto with a deep sense of his kindness to us all, and 

 proceeded on our way to Ambaca. Frequent rains, accom- 

 panied with thunder, had fallen in October and November. 

 Occasionally the humidity of the atmosphere is increased 

 without any visible cause ; and a sensation of considerable 

 cold follows from the circumstance of the increased humidity 

 affording a better conducting medium for the radiation of heat 

 from the body. These sudden changes of temperature cause 

 considerable disease among the natives, and this season, 

 though the most healthy for Europeans, is quite the reverse 

 for the natives, and is denominated " carnelrado," as if they 

 were slaughtered like sheep in it. 



Owing to the weakness of the late invalids we were unable 

 to march long distances. Three hours and a half brought us 

 to the banks of the Caloi, a small stream which flows into the 

 Senza. This part of the country is reputed to yield petro- 

 leum, but the geological formation, mica schist dipping 

 towards the eastward, is not favourable for it. We crossed 

 another little river, called the Quango, and then passed on to 

 Ambaca in bright sunlight, the whole country looking beauti- 

 fully fresh and green after the rains. 



On crossing the Lucalla we made a detour to the south, in 

 order to visit the famous rocks of Pungo Andongo. As soon 

 as we crossed the rivulet Lotete a change in the vegetation 

 of the country was apparent : the trees were identical with 

 those to the south of the Chobe ; and the grass was adapted 

 for cattle. Two species of grape-bearing vines prevail in this 

 district, and the influence of the good pasturage is seen in the 

 plump condition of the cattle. In all my previous inquiries 

 respecting the vegetable products of Angola I was invariably 

 directed to Pungo Andongo. Do you grow wheat? " yes, 

 in Pungo Andongo." — Grapes, figs, or peaches ? "0 yes, in 

 Pungo Andongo," — Do you make butter, cheese, &g. ? The 

 uniform answer was, "0 yes, there is abundance of all these 

 in Pungo Andongo." But when we arrived here we found 



