390 AX UNHEALTHY CLIMATE. 



fatigue. The reader will remember, in connection with 

 this insect, the case of the ants already mentioned. 



December 14th. — Both myself and men having recovered 

 from severe attacks of fever, we left the hospitable resi- 

 dence of Mr. Canto with a deep sense of his kindness to 

 ns all, and proceeded on our way to Ambaca. (L,at. 9 

 16' 35- S., long. 15 23' B.) 



Frequent rains had fallen in October and November, 

 which were nearly always accompanied with thunder. 

 Occasionally the quantity of moisture in the atmosphere 

 is greatly increased without any visible cause : this imparts 

 a sensation of considerable cold, though the thermometer 

 exhibits no fall of the mercury. The greater humidity 

 in the air, affording a better conducting medium for the 

 radiation of heat from the body, is as dangerous as a 

 sudden fall of the thermometer ■ it causes considerable 

 disease among the natives, and this season is denominated 

 " carneirado," as if by the disease they were slaughtered 

 like sheep. The season of these changes, which is the 

 most favourable for Europeans, is the most unhealthy 

 for the native population ; and this is by no means a 

 climate in which either natives or Europeans can indulge 

 in. irregularities with impunity. 



Owing to the weakness of the men who had been sick, 

 we were able to march but short distances. Three hours 

 and a half brought us to the banks of the Caloi, a small 

 stream which flows into the Senza. This is one of the 

 parts of the country reputed to yield petroleum, but the 

 geological formation, being mica schist dipping towards 

 the eastward, did not promise much for our finding it. 

 Our hospitable friend Mr. Mellot accompanied us to 

 another little river, called the Quango, where I saw two 

 fine boys, the sons of the sub-commandant, Mr. Feltao, 

 who, though only from six to eight years old, were subject 

 to fever. We then passed on in the bright sunlight, the 

 whole country looking so fresh and green after the rains, 

 and everything so cheering, one could not but wonder 

 to find it so feverish. 



We found on reaching Ambaca that the gallant old 

 soldier Laurence Jose Marquis, had, since our passing 

 Icollo i Bengo, been promoted, on account of his stern 

 integrity, to the government of this important district. 

 The office of commandant is much coveted by the officers 

 of the line who come to Angola, not so much for the salary 



