DISCOVERIES OF THE FRENCH. 157 
the north of the river, is a district called Terrier 
Rouge, celebrated for the gum trade. This is 
carried on to a great extent with the Moors, who 
collect it from the forests on the borders of the 
Sahara. The meadows are rich, and covered with 
innumerable herds ; but, during the rainy season, 
the Senegal inundates this district, and the inha- 
bitants are obliged to withdraw for safety into the 
most elevated spots. Thence the expedition pro- 
ceeded to Hovalada, a considerable village, still on 
the same bank of the Senegal. Here Brue began 
to traffic for cattle, of which the neighbouring 
meadows afforded an abundant supply. The most 
convenient medium of exchange was brandy, for 
one pint of which a fat ox was considered as only 
a fair equivalent. Brue decidedly recommends 
brandy as at all times the most acceptable and pro- 
fitable merchandise which can be carried into Af- 
rica. He observes, however, that no bottle ought 
ever to be presented to an African, which is not 
completely full. The negroes, probably from dread 
of imposition, view, with peculiar jealousy and dis- 
dain, every vessel from which any portion of this 
precious liquid has been subtracted. He asserts, 
that they prefer a small vessel, full, to a barrel, of 
which even an inch of the depth should remain 
vacant. 
At the termination of the isle of Morfil, is the 
isle of Bilbas, formed in the same manner, and of 
