THE WESTERN COAST. 
and of the same breadth, which is supposed to 
contain gold mines. They sometimes trade with 
the neighbouring tribes in rice, maize, poultry, 
oxen, and goats, but never contract marriages 
with them, nor permit them to enter their country* 
They are equally industrious and warlike, and never 
traffic in slaves. 
The Papels are an active and warlike people, 
who possess the island of Bissao and part of the 
adjacent continent. They speak a peculiar lan- 
guage, and have adopted many customs from the 
Portuguese, who have been long settled among 
them. They are reckoned the most skilful rowers 
on the coast, and are generally at war with all their 
neighbours. 
The Banyans, or Bagnons, who are more civi- 
lized than any of their neighbours, are a brave in- 
dustrious tribe. Their women, when at work, 
are said, by De la Brue, to fill their mouths with 
water, to ^prevent interruption from loquacity. If 
the author was serious, it is a wonderful proof of 
their industry ! 
The Feloops, who possess that part of the coast 
which extends from Rio St Domingo to the Gam- 
bia, are a rude but industrious nation, who have 
little intercourse with their neighbours. They 
have always opposed, with success, the attempts of 
the Mandingoes to subdue them, even when as- 
sisted by the Portuguese. Their character dis- 
