MOUNTAINS OF NIOKOLO AND BANDEIA. 227 
from the earth, and burned the dry grass near them. " It is 
honey-hunters," cried they all at once but when day 
returned, they discovered that the flames they had seen pro- 
ceeded from a very different cause. The chain of mountains 
forming the natural defence of Fouta Jallon to the north, is 
very lofty, and in general exhibits nothing to the view but 
granitoid diabase, and ferruginous rocks. We saw here and 
there milky quartz, whitish jasper, and schistous psammites. 
The blackish soil which in some places covers them, is 
composed of ashes and the remains of plants. One part is 
covered with thick forests, containing trees of the greatest 
beauty. No doubt excellent wood for carpenters and cabinet 
makers' work might be found among them ; but the means of 
conveyance are wanting ; for almost all the rivers which run 
among these mountains, are obstructed in various places by 
bars of rocks. Iron is the only metal obtained in this 
district, which, however, must also contain gold, for several 
rivers w^ash it down. The inhabitants, however, have not 
attempted to discover where the ore is situated. They have 
sought for gun-flint, but in vain ; their ignorance has pre- 
vented them from employing quartz, which would in part 
answer the same purpose. The horizon is always foggy on 
* As honey in this country is generally found in the nests of termites, the 
natives are obliged to set them on fire during the night, that they may secure 
it without running any risk of being stung by the bees. 
G G 2 
