AFRICA. 85 
radifh, and is as large as a melon. It has a 
moft fweet and agreeable tafte, and is excel- 
lent for allaying thirft ; a wonderful precau- 
tion of nature, in a fcorching climate, where 
one is in danger of perifliing at every ftep ; 
and where, at certain feafons, there is not a 
fingle fpring at which one could drink. 
Though very common, this root is not ea- 
iily found, becaufe at the period of its perfedl 
maturity, its leaves becoming withered and 
dry, drop ofF^ and to procure it one muft 
have remarked the fpot before. But by be- 
ing a little accuftomed to the country, people 
may foon learn to diftingulfh the places V/here 
it chiefly grows. 
When opprefled by the heat and fatigues 
of the day, having my mouth and throat 
parched, and my body covered with fweat 
land duft, panting for breath, deprived 
of the friendly {hade, and fcarcely able to 
fupport my own weight, I wiflied to find 
fome infedtious marfli ; and in that all my 
vows were centered — when my vain re- 
fearches, and the unceafing intenfity of the 
fun, had at length deprived me of all hopes — • 
how often then did I congratulate myfelf 
upon a precaution which more than one ele- 
G 2 gant 
