CHAPTER XXXII. 



Description of Angola by Mr. J. J. Monteiro — Changes in Vegetation and Climate 

 — River Congo — Voyage up the River — The Bay of Muserra — Ambriz — Qui- 

 balla and Quilumbo — Bembe — From Ambriz to Loanda, — Porto Domingos — 

 Districts of Cazengo and Golungo Alto — River Quanza — Benguela, — District 

 of Dombe Grande — Mossamedes — The Muquices — Climate of Angola — Treat- 

 ment of Diseases — Habits and Customs of the Natives — Insects and Reptiles — 

 Fruits — Safety of Travellers. 



AN excellent account of Angola and the Eiver Congo has been furnished by 

 Mr. Joachim John Monteiro, the result of many years' travel in that pro- 

 vince. The Portuguese possessions of Angola on the south-west coast of 

 Africa extend from Ambriz in 70° 49' South Lat. to Cape Frio in 18° 20' 

 South Lat. This long extent of coast comprises considerable variety in geo- 

 logical formation, physical configuration, climate, vegetation, and natural 

 productions, tribes of natives, and different languages, habits, and customs. 

 The recent explorations of Congo, and the neighbouring district, by Com- 

 mander Cameron, give double interest to all information concerning that part 

 of the African continent. 



" The coast line is nowhere very bold, level sandy bays, fringed with a 

 belt of the evergreen mangrove, alternate with long stretches of cliffs, seldom 

 attaining any great height or grandeur, and covered with a coarse branching 

 grass, small patches of shrubby scrub, a tall cactus-like tree Euphorbia, and the 

 gigantic towering Baobab, with its fantastic long gourd-like fruit. 



" The Calema, or surf- wave, with its ceaseless roar, breaks heavily in 

 long white lines on the smooth beach, and pulverises the hardest rock, and 

 every particle of shell and animal structure. It dashes against the base of 

 the cliffs, resounding loudly in its mad fury, as it has done, wave after wave, 

 and hour after hour, for unknown ages ; and the singular absence of gulls or 

 any moving living objects, or noises, to divert the eye or ear from the dread- 

 ful monotony of constantly recurring sounds, and line after line of dazzling 

 white foam, gives a distinctive and excessively depressing character to the 

 coast, in harmony, as it were, with the enervating influence of the cli- 

 mate." 



Nowhere on the coast is seen more than an indication of the wonderful 

 vegetation, or varied beauty and fertility, which generally begins at a distance 



