OFFERINGS TO THE DEAD. 
405 
and millet. About half-past two o'clock we left Magna- 
Gnouiian, and proceeded six miles northward, over a road 
covered w th ferruginous stones and gravel. The butter-tree 
still continued to be abundant. We crossed four streams, 
all tributary to the Dhioliba. A little before sun- set we 
halted at Khoukhola, where we passed the night. This neat 
little village is shaded by numerous baobabs, with the fruit 
and leaves of which the inhabitants trade. I saw some huts 
built of bricks baked in the sun. 
At six in the morning, we resumed our journey in the 
direction of N.N. E. The soil over which we passed was 
composed of hard grey sand, mixed with white and pink cal- 
careous stones. After travelling four miles, we came to a 
large stream, and next arrived at Kiebala, a small village, 
where we settled the passage duties, without being detained 
more than an hour. I saw in this village several wells; 
pieces of wood were fixed round them to prevent the earth 
from falling in. I also observed some tobacco-planta- 
tions. The caravan stopped in a field without the village ; 
not far from this spot I saw a tree, to the branches of which 
were tied pieces of string, leather, cloth, &c. Under the 
tree were some empty earthen vessels, ranged in regular 
order. I was informed that this was a burial place. It is 
the custom of the Bambaras to deposit in the graves of the 
dead, provisions, cloth, and various other things, keeping a 
portion of these articles, which they hang upon a tree near 
the burial place, and putting the eatables into earthen vessels. 
If, during the night, dogs, or any wild animal, should devour 
the latter, it is believed that the guardian spirit of the de- 
ceased has been banqueting at his grave. These superstitions 
prevail only in some parts of the country. 
Continuing our course N. E., on a soil similar to that 
which we had passed over in the morning, about ten or 
eleven o'clock, we arrived at Serasso, where we passed the 
rest of the day. This village, which contains a population of 
