SUMMIT OF TANGUE — RIVER COUMBA. 217 
concealed in the clouds; their south-eastern extremity is 
formed of enormous rocks of diabase ; during the rainy season 
the clouds gather round their tops, the thunder is incessantly 
rolling there, and deluges of rain inundate the country below. 
This chain forms a natural barrier which protects Fouta 
Jallon from its enemies to the north, for an army could never 
pass them without experienced guides. The air was so cold 
on the summit of Tangué, that I was glad to find a spot 
exposed to the rays of the sun, where I might sit down. We 
then descended into a woody valley, the verdure of which 
indicated a perpetual spring ; there is situated the source of 
the Coumba. This river issues from rocks of granite, and 
after meandering among these mountains, joins the Rio Grande 
to the west. The green turf, which borders the banks of the 
Coumba, and the baobabs and other large trees which shade 
it, render this valley delightful ; the pure air which we there 
breathed, and the coolness of the water of the river made us 
forget the almost unparalleled fatigues which we had endured, 
and with infinite delight we contemplated the nearly inac- 
cessible heights we had traversed. After we had rested and 
enjoyed at our leisure, this magnificent spectacle, heightened 
by the varied plumage and melodious notes of numberless 
birds, hunger impelled us to seek the huts which were 
perched on the declivity of the opposite mountain. Boubou's 
wife prepared us a detestable ragout, called majit, composed 
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