142 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. XLII. 
the taste, still it was not very pure, and could 
not but contain the germs of much disease. This is 
the same komadugu with which, in its upper course 
in the territory of Uje, I had become acquainted 
on my journey to A'damawa.* The banks all around 
were enlivened by horses and pack-oxen, who were 
enjoying the rich verdure ; and there was not a shady 
tree but had been taken possession of by a troop of 
Kanembii or Kaniiri, in order to find that comfortable 
repose which the noisy encampment could not afford. 
Having heard that the wealth of the inhabitants of 
Dikowa consisted of cotton, I expected to find 
extensive well-kept cotton-plantations; but although 
the article was cultivated to a great extent, I was 
astonished at the neglected appearance which it ex- 
hibited, the cotton-fields being almost buried beneath 
the thicket, and overgrown not only with rank grass, 
but even with trees and bushes, so that scarcely any 
space was left for the plants to spread out ; nevertheless 
their luxuriant growth bore ample testimony to the 
rich nature of the soil, and gave an idea of the wealth 
that lies buried in these regions. I have already ob- 
served, on another occasion, that the natives of Negro- 
land take very little care of their cottom plantations ; 
and there is no doubt that, if sufficient care was be- 
stowed, quite a different quality might be produced. 
* With regard to the direction of its lower course, the state- 
ments of the people do not entirely agree, and I shall have occa- 
sion to say something more about it when I speak of my return 
journey from Bagirmi. 
