AFRICA. 239 
a moft delightful (helter, in an immenfe foreft 
compofed of large and magnificent trees. I 
often went thither to walk, cfpecially during 
the great heats of the day ; and it clearly ap- 
peared, from the various paths which crofled 
each other in a thoufand different diredlions, 
that this place muft have been long fre- 
quented. 
I obferved here many trees of tl^.e fame 
kind as thofe I had met with ia the country 
of^ Auteniqua : the Jlinli-houtt ^ or ftinking 
wood, abounded in every quarter. This tree 
Is found alfo, as I have already remarked, 
near the bay of Agoa, from Vv^hich it is 
tranfported by the inhabitants of the Cape, 
in order to be manufadured and employed 
in cabinet work ; but the expence occafioned 
by the diftance of that bay renders it ex- 
ceedingly fcarce and dear. Belides being 
fufceptible of the fineft poliPn, it has the va- 
luable property of being proof againft the 
attacks of worms ; and when it grov/s old, 
it acquires a cheftnut colour, the veins of 
which being very broad are fhaded with 
tints more or lefs dark. When it is cut, and 
before it becomes dry, it exhales an excre- 
mentitious fmel!, which occafions a naufea, 
particularly 
