476 
ADAMS'S NARRATIVE. 
house, whither the bridegroom repaired after sun* 
set, and brought her home with him. Besides 
one principal wife, they had several inferior ones 
or concubines ; an arrangement which was by no 
means productive of domestic harmony. Adams 
had not an opportunity of observing the ceremony 
of marriage among the lower orders. Among 
them illicit intercourse prevailed to a great extent, 
and was frequently accompanied by the practice of 
abortion. Seduction among the higher ranks, un- 
less repaired by marriage, was punished with sla- 
very. 
The grains chiefly cultivated in the vicinity of 
Tombuctoo are rice and Guinea corn. They are 
raised entirely with the hoe, no cattle being used 
in agriculture. The fruits are cocoa nuts, dates, 
figs, and pine-apples. The domestic animals are 
chiefly goats, and their flesh is the only species 
which is commonly eaten. There are no horses ; 
the cows are small, and few in number. Besides 
the common camel, there occurs the heirie, a small 
and very fleet species, which will travel fifty miles 
a day for many days successively. It is unfit, 
however, for carrying burdens. Of wild animals, 
lions and foxes were not seen, but were heard 
roaring in the neighbouring mountains. Wolves 
and foxes are numerous, and commit great depre- 
dations. Elephants are hunted by the negroes 
mounted on a heirie, the swiftness of which en- 
7 
