XVI II 
APPENDIX. 
rainy season 5 when, like all the other tropical rivers, its bed is filled, and 
very commonly will not contain the additional waters. Mr. Park observed 
by the mark of the highest point of swelling of the river Kokoro (or eastern 
branch of the Senegal), that it had been twenty feet higher than when he 
crossed it, in the line of the southern route. The main branch of this river, 
the Ba-fing, or Black River, was not fordable, and was crossed over a tem- 
porary bridge of a very singular construction. Alligators, or crocodiles, are 
found in all these branches, at the height at which Mr. Park passed them. 
The Faleme river has also a remote source, and drains a great extent of 
country. 
Concerning the Gambia Mr. Park had fewer notices. It is remarkable 
that the position pointed out to him for the source of this river, agrees very 
nearly with that found in Dr. W adstrorn's map ; from notices collected from 
another quarter. This is very satisfactory. I learn also from Dr. Afzelius 
that the distance across, between the approximating parts of the courses of 
the Gambia and Rio Grande, is four journies. 
Mr. Park crossed in his way, six different streams that fall into the 
Gambia from the north-east. Amongst these the principal one is the Nerico, 
which flows from the quarter of Bondou ; and is reckoned the eastern 
boundary of a tract which the Africans of this region style the Country 
of the West, expressed by that of the setting sun. This tract is on a lower 
level than that to the east; is flat, and the soil composed of clay and sand. 
It appears that the whole tract through which Mr. Park returned is covered 
with wood, cleared only in certain inhabited spots ( Numidian fashion ): of 
which, the great tract, named the Jallonka Wilderness, is composed of 
primeval forests.* 
The Bambara and Kaarta countries are also exceedingly woody, but less 
so than the other tract; and the woods are of an inferior growth. 
According to the ideas collected from Mr. Park's observations, the 
* Thomson seems to have understood this, when he says, 
beneath primeval trees, that cast 
Their ample shade o'er Niger's yellow stream. 
Summer, v. 705. 
