N ' P A L. 
23 
together as to form an aerial canopy, through which the 
eye perceives at a distance other groups, frequently fan- 
tastic, but always wonderful. The plain is covered with a 
carpet of verdure, the pleasing smoothness of which is 
broken by numerous shrubs, all differently decorated by 
the climbing plants which grow about them. 
The parinarius seiiegalensis^ which is very common 
in the plain, also embellishes the scene, and heightens the 
interest of the view to the traveller reposing in the shade of 
its thick foliage. All these beauties, with which nature is 
adorned, irrestibly lead the mind up to its Creator and fill 
it with admiration of his profound wisdom. 
These delightful plains are intersected by marshes, where- 
in grow a great number of aquatic plants 3 as the road cros- 
ses these marshes, I was up to the knees in water. I 
reached N'ghiez about one in the afternoon : I rested there 
but a very short time : then, continuing my course east- 
ward, I passed through some fields of millet. My way 
then led me into a desert plain, but clothed with vegetation, 
and I arrived at N'pal by sunset, quite tired with my day's 
journey, which I had performed barefoot and carrying my 
baggage on my head. I sought a lodging with a woman of 
St. Louis, who had her family at N'pal : she received me 
very kindly, and thanks to her attentions, 1 passed a good 
night, which made me some amends for the preceding one. 
On the 5th 1 remained at N'pal. 1 spent the day in 
visiting the environs of the village, which is charmingly 
situated, amidst an immense plain, fertilized by the rains 
of the tropic. The inhabitants grow in abundance all that 
is requisite for their wants : accustomed to lead a very tem- 
perate life, they frequently have a surplus, which they carry 
for sale to St. Louis, bringing back in exchange fire-arms 
for their defence, and amber, coral, and glass trinkets to 
adorn their wives. This village is reputed to be the weal- 
thiest in the neighbourhood of St. Louis. Its population 
