2.94 CLIMATE OF FOUTA DIALLON. 
woods, to prevent their being parched up. The sources which 
I have seen were in general not very abundant ; these rivers 
are full of fish, but infested with river-horses and allio-ators. 
The temperature of this country is subject to great varia- 
tions according to the great difference of local situations. 
At Toulou and Bandeia I found the atmosphere very cold ; 
I felt an oppressive heat at Mali, situated near Tangué, 
where the air is very keen. In passing over several moun- 
tains, especially those destitute of verdure, I experienced a 
suffocating heat. In Fouta Diallon, from sun-rise till seven 
o'clock in the moniing', the air is cold, at noon the east 
wind inflames the atmosphere, and at two o'clock the western 
breeze succeeds and cools it. 
When the first day of the rains is over, the weather 
continues dry for seven days ; it then rains for six months, day 
and night. The rains proceed from the south to the north ; 
the rivers are not full until the maize has reached its complete 
growth; Fouta Diallon then resembles an immense lake. This 
inundation, however, does not prevent the inhabitants from 
travelling ; trunks of trees enable them to cross the small 
rivers, and canoes transport them along the Senegal, the 
Faleme, and the Gambia. — - ■ . 
I did not see any beasts of prey in Fouta Diallon ; never- 
theless there are lions, panthers, and hyœnas, but in small 
numbers. Elephants are scarce ; antelopes, and deer are 
more frequently met with ; the ape is seen every where, 
