INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 259 
When the wind sets in from the north-east, it -produces a 
wonderful change in the face of the country. The grass soon 
becomes dry and withered • the rivers subside very rapidly, and 
many of the trees shed their leaves. About this period is com- 
monly felt the barmattan, a dry and parching wind, blowing 
from the north-east, and accompanied by a thick smoky haze ; 
through which the sun appears of a dull red colour. This wind, 
in passing over the great desert of Sahara, acquires a very 
strong attraction for humidity, and parches up every thing 
exposed to its current. It is, however, reckoned very salutary, 
particularly to Europeans, who generally recover their health 
during its continuance. I experienced immediate relief from 
sickness, both at Dr. Laidley's, and at Kamalia, during the 
harmattan. Indeed, the air during the rainy season is. so loaded 
with moisture, that clothes, shoes, trunks, and every thing that 
is not close to the fire, become damp and mouldy ; and the 
inhabitants may be said to live in a sort of vapour bath : but 
this dry wind braces up the solids, which were before relaxed, 
gives a cheerful flow of spirits, and is even pleasant to respira- 
tion. Its ill effects are, that it produces chaps in the lips, and 
afflicts many of the natives with sore eyes* 
Whenever the grass is sufficiently dry, the Negroes set it on 
fire ; but in Ludamar, and. other Moorish countries, this practice 
is not allowed; for it is upon the withered stubble that the 
Moors feed their cattle, until the return of the rains. The 
burning the grass in Manding exhibits a scene of terrific 
grandeur. In the middle of the night, I could see the plains 
and mountains, as far as my eye could reach, variegated with 
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