ANTS — COOLNESS OF THE EAST WIND. 219 
nable stew, which is not eaten by the Negroes themselves, 
except in times of scarcity, was so disgusting- to me that I 
went to bed supperless. 
For some time past I had felt my health impaired by the 
continued and toilsome journeys which I was obliged to make 
on foot ; the changes of temperature and nourishment, and the 
absolute want of that food to which European stomachs are 
accustomed, had weakened me much. I felt this with sorrow, 
but yet I kept up my spirits. 
April 5th. The whole of this day we were climbing 
mountains ; at their feet ran streams, most of which discharge 
themselves into the Gambia. In passing along one of these 
streams, I was in an instant covered with ants, the bites of 
which gave me so much pain that to deliver myself from them 
I was obliged to strip off all my clothes. These fresh sufferings, 
and the fatigue of constantly dragging my horse along by the 
bridle so exhausted me, that I begged my guides to stop 
under a dioi. Near this tree were some huts, entirely destitute 
of provisions. 
The east wind blew violently ; in the plains situated more 
to the north, it inflames the air, w^hilst in these mountainous 
regions and tlie country immediately extending to the west 
and the south, it cools the atmosphere. This difference autho- 
rizes the conjecture that before it arrives in Fouta Jallon it 
must pass over mountains of very great elevation. After 
leaving to the west a very high chain surmounted by the peak 
F F 2 
