l6o TRAVELS IN THE 
lines of fire ; and the light reflected on the sky, made the 
heavens appear in a blaze. In the day time, pillars of smoke 
were seen in every direction ; while the birds of prey were 
observed hovering round the conflagration, andponncing down 
upon the snakes, lizards, and other reptiles, which attempted 
to escape from the flames. This annual burning is soon 
followed by a fresh and sweet verdure, and the country is 
thereby rendered more healthful and pleasant. 
Of the most remarkable and important of the vegetable pro- 
ductions, mention has already been made ; and they are nearly 
the same in all the districts through which I passed. It is 
observable, however, that although many species of the edible 
roots, which grow in the West-India Islands, are found in 
Africa, yet I never saw, in any part of my journey, either the 
sugar-cane, the coffee, or the cacao tree ; nor could I learn, on 
inquiry, that they were known to the natives. The pine- 
apple, and the thousand other delicious fruits, which the indus- 
try of civilized man (improving the bounties of nature), has 
brought to so great perfection in the tropical climates of 
America, are here equally unknown. I observed, indeed, a few 
orange and banana trees, near the mouth of the Gambia ; but 
whether they were indigenous, or were formerly planted there 
by some of the white traders, I could not positively learn, 
I suspect, that they were originally introduced by the Portu- 
guese. 
- Concerning property in the soil ; it appeared to me that the 
lands in native woods, were considered as belonging to the 
king, or (where the government was not monarchical) to the 
