AFRICA. - 167 
which crofs each other in a thoufand dilFerent 
diredlons, and, as one may fay, lay the four 
feafons under contribution to fertilize it. This 
country may juftly be called the Llmagne'^ 
of Africa. Thefc ftreams, which never dry 
up in this delightful territory, proceed from 
a caufe well known. The high mountains 
towards the eaft, which are covered vv^ith 
forefts, ftop the clouds and the fogs carried by 
the eaft wind from the fea, and this occafions 
very abundant rains. 
It feemed favourable to my views that I 
fliould remain fome days here with the com- 
mander ; and this is the only inftance in 
which I deviated from my plan. JBefides 
particular motives which induced me to take 
this ftep, I was detained by political reafons, 
and I could not refufe his invitation with any 
kind of decency : an order had been every 
where fent to fuffer me to pafs, to affift me, 
and to furnifh me with every thing that I 
fliouid have occafion for. As Mr. Mulder 
occupied the laft poft, he had received more 
^ A territory of France, in Lower Auvergne, lying 
along the river Allier. It is one of the finQii and mofb 
fertile plains in France. T. 
M 4 pofitive 
