COMI-SOURIGNAN. 
187 
whole appearance is animated and pleasing. In these 
mountains there are many Dhialonkes^ the ancient possessors 
of the country of Fouta-Dhialon^ which was conquered long 
ago by the Foulahs^ who compelled part of the population 
to embrace Mahometanism. Those who refused to forsake 
idolatry became tributaries to the almamy^ or chief, of 
Irnanke. They pay their tribute in cattle. These people 
are very mild and hospitable to the strangers who are 
continually travelling through their mountainous country. 
They have a particular dialect, which the Foulahs do not 
understand. 
After resting for a short time, we continued our journey 
eastward. The road was interspersed with small masses of 
rock, which incommoded me exceedingly; for, as I could not 
walk with the sandals of the country, I was obliged to go 
barefoot. We passed Courgin, a little village containing a 
population of about one hundred and fifty or two hundred. 
The masses of rock were succeeded by stones, apparently vol- 
canic. Proceeding nine miles further, to the east, we arrived 
at three in the afternoon at Comi-Sourignan, a pretty village, 
situated on a hill, and containing about one hundred and fifty 
inhabitants. The aspect of the surrounding country was beau- 
tiful ; it was interspersed with fine hills, covered with brilliant 
verdure. The soil, which is of a yellow colour, is very produc- 
tive. The village, enclosed by a quick- set hedge, is very clean. 
The huts are surrounded by gardens, containing plantations of 
pistachio-nuts, cassavas, caribbee cabbages, and other things. 
These gardens, which are cultivated by women and children, 
are kept in very good order, and the little paths leading to 
the huts are cleanly swept. The chief, in whose presence we 
said the prayer, invited Ibrahim and me to his hut, where 
he made us partake of his dinner, consisting of boiled rice 
with a little sour milk. We seated ourselves on a mat, near 
a little fire; for fires are always kept burning here, on account 
of the humidity of the climate. When our repast was ended, 
the wife of the chief came and sat down beside us. She 
