TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
33 
grease or rancid butter of which the Joloff men 
are so lavish. Sandals or slippers protect their 
feet from the heat of the sand, and from thorns j 
and complete the catalogue of their wardrobe. 
The dress of the women is neither so decent 
nor so clean. The body, from the waist upward, 
is almost always naked, except when enceinte, 
in which case a sort of short chemise, without 
sleeves, covers the neck and stomach. They 
plat their hair neatly into a profusion of small 
braids, but are so lavish of butter or palm oil on 
them and their skins (which are generally of a 
very fine black) that they cannot be approached 
without experiencing the very unpleasant effects 
of such anointings, rendered doubly offensive by 
the addition of profuse and constant perspira- 
tion. 
The huts and yards of these people are ex- 
tremely clean, and, although small, are compa- 
ratively comfortable. The^ walls of both are, for 
the most part, composed of split cane formed 
into a sort of wicker work resembling hurdles. 
The roofs of the former are conical, and covered 
with long dry grass, fastened on with a small 
line made from the inner bark of the monkey- 
bread tree. On the whole, their houses have a 
very neat appearance. 
The amusements of these people are confined 
to dancing and music, which take place almost 
