400 
ABBA TSAMA. 
of which I collected some beautiful specimens of Gardinia, at this 
time (May) in blossom, though I had before found the same tree 
in full bloom in the middle of September. While we were pass- 
ing the rocky district of Tsai, we met with a heavy shower of 
rain, and thence, after crossing two streams of considerable mag- 
nitude, continued our course forwards till five o'clock, when we 
arrived, completely worn out, at the door of our friend's mansion 
at Abba Tsama. The plain, immediately in front of the house, 
(which was watered by a clear and winding stream,) was one of 
the best cultivated in this part of Abyssinia, and being encircled 
with lofty hills and pinnacled rocks of the most picturesque 
forms, afforded, altogether, one of the most agreeable residences 
in the kingdom. 
The Palambaras, who was fortunately at home, came out to 
welcome us on our arrival^ and, according to custom, immediately 
killed a cow, and set before us a profusion of curries, and other 
highly seasoned dishes peculiar to the country. Our present 
host possessed the character of being one of the most jovial 
companions in Abyssinia. He had been in his youth an ex- 
tremely handsome man, and was naturally of a gay and lively 
disposition ; was said to have had five wives at one time, to 
whose company he had been devotedly attached, and he declared, 
that his only wish was confined to the enjoyment of the good 
things which this world afibrded. He was accustomed to ex- 
press very openly his extreme aversion from scenes of warfare ; 
but once or twice in his life having been drawn into the neces- 
sity of fighting, he had conducted himself very gallantly, and on 
one occasion, in the war of Hamazen, having been surprised by 
