Chap. LVII. 
bamu'rna 
171 
Having reached the highest point of the path, from 
whence we obtained the first sight of Sokoto, we 
descended into a deeper hollow or irregular valley, 
adorned by fine green fields of " rogo," and bordered 
by living hedges of the Nux purgans, the nut being 
still green, but having just attained its full size. 
This was the valley of Bamurna, which is dis- 
tinguished on account of its fertility and abundance 
of water, but for this same reason is rather un- 
healthy, and, during and shortly after the rainy 
season, becomes quite impassable for travellers. 
Close to the source, which rushes forth from the 
western cliffs, a small market is held, where travellers 
generally make a short halt ; but this spot being very 
narrow and affording but little comfort for a midday 
halt, we went on a little further, and halted for an hour 
or two at the end of the vale, under two fine diirremi 
trees a little to the right of the path. Here, where the 
principal vale is joined by a side branch, and where the 
greatest amount of moisture is collected, the vegeta- 
tion is especially rich, and a beautiful limiin tree full 
of fruit adorned the place, besides young offshoots 
of the plantain. But more interesting still was a 
small plantation of sugar situated at the foot of the 
hill, although the stalks were at present only about 
sixteen or eighteen inches high ; and I was not a little 
surprised when I learned that this piece of ground 
belonged to a man who not only cultivated, but 
even prepared sugar: but I did not then make his ac- 
quaintance, as he was absent at the time. Meanwhile 
