MESURIL. 
SI 
hackeries drawn by bullocks of a large breed from Madagascar, 
and are then cleared from the dirt and rind with rough scrapers 
formed out of a large species of shell, (Helix terrestris) which is 
found in great profusion on the coast. After this process they 
are exposed to the sun, and, when sufficiently dry, are ground 
down as finely as possible with a hand-wheel edged with copper 
and stuck round with spikes ; this being completed, the pulp is 
put into large bags and pressed with a heavy weight, and when 
all the juice is extracted (which is said to be of a poisonous quality) 
the mass is broken to pieces with the hand and dried on copper- 
stoves heated for the purpose, which reduces it to a wholesome 
farina. This, when mixed with water, constitutes almost entirely 
the food of the slaves ; and sometimes, though very rarely, owing to 
a certain degree of pride, is used in their soups by the Portuguese. 
Behind the manufactory is a marshy pool of fresh water, 
which if turned to the purposes of agriculture would in such a 
climate prove invaluable ; but, to our surprise, we observed that 
no pains were taken to convey it over the adjoining lands, and 
that the expressed juice of the manioca with every other kind of 
filth being permitted to run into it rendered it unfit for any other 
use whatsoever ; an instance of gross negligence strongly charac- 
teristic of the indolence of the planters. A number of ducks and 
other wild fowl were seen swimming on the pool, which afforded 
us, as sportsmen, considerable amusement ; among them may be 
mentioned Parra africana, Jkc?. Orn. ii. 764, and a species of 
Gallinula of a reddish brown colour which has hitherto not been 
described, the skins of which I have brought over to England, In 
the shallower part grew several beautiful water-plants, of which 
