230 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chat-. XLV. 
been informed that not only the men, but even the 
women in this country, are passionately fond of 
smoking. But as for cotton, we had not yet seen 
any in the whole tract of the Miisgu country which 
we had travelled over ; and its appearance here seemed 
to be a step in advance towards civilization, caused, 
probably, by the influence of the neighbouring town 
of Logon. 
After a short interruption, there followed another 
village, which was succeeded by forest, and then 
another swamp, at present dry, and overgrown with 
tall rank grass, but difficult to pass on account of 
innumerable holes. Shortly afterwards the country 
on our right assumed an open and very pleasant ap- 
pearance, a river with a clear sheet of water, but 
apparently without a current, winding through it in 
tortuous meanderings, and closely approaching the 
higher ground along which the numerous host was 
pursuing its march. The slope was adorned with 
wild fig-trees and acacias, which were overshadowed 
by two fine deleb-palms. This open country was suc- 
ceeded by the well-cultivated and shaded fields, which 
lay stretched out between the scattered courtyards 
of another village ; and here we encamped, my com- 
panion and I pitching our tents near a beautiful sort 
of fig-tree, of the species called " baure " by the 
Hausa, and " kago " by the Kanuri, or at least the 
Manga. 
The whole village was deserted; only a few neglected 
members of the poultry tribe were running about, 
