PEOPLE or THE TÎISSAG03. 
5S 
©r each otlier, and sometimes make war amongst tliemselves, 
but they more frequently unite against the Biafares, who s re 
their greatest enemies, and whom they have expelled from Bn- 
lam. They have eanoes large enough to carry from twenty -rive 
to thirty men with their arms, which are sabres and darts. 
The Bissagos are large, strong, and robust peop-e, though 
they feed only upon shell and other fisb^ palm-oil, and tlie nuts 
of the palm-tree ; they sell to Europeans the millet, rice, and 
other vegetables which they produce. They have an extreme 
liking for brandv, which they drink in great quantities, mid which 
is sold to them at a high price ; indeed their propensity for this 
liquor is so great, that it renders them furious and mmaturah As 
soon as a vessel appears for the purpose of selling that article, 
they always quarrel amongst themselves about who bhall obtain 
the greatest quantity, and be first served. The weakest on these 
occasions become the prey of the most powerful. The father 
sells his children; and if the son can seize his father and mother, 
he conducts them to the Europeans, and barters them for bran- 
dy; he then gets di'unk, and continues so as long as the quantity 
will last, at which his relatives have been valued. 
Ail these people are idolaters, and naturally cruel. They 
cut off the heads of the men they kill, drag their bodies through 
the streets, scalp them, dry the skins w ith the hair on, and ornament 
their houses with them as a proof of their bravery and victories. 
Their envious character renders suicide very frequent amongst 
them ; the least chagrin induces them to turn then* rage against 
their own persons. Tliey hang themselves, jnmp from preci- 
pices, and throw themselves into the sea, while the most brave 
amongst them terminate their existence with the poniard. 
Besides these general characters, there are distinctive traha 
amongst the inhabitants of the different isles : that of Formosa^ 
the most eastern of the whole, is planted with the finest trees, 
which they consider as the residence of gods. They give a de- 
lightful aspect to the island, which, hovvever, is uninhabited. 
The isle of Galline and that of Casnabac, are at the head of 
the bank : they are populous and fertile ; their shores abound 
in ûsh, and they contain plenty of fresh water. Nothing is 
wanting amongst the inhabitants, but an industrious disposition, 
to render them a social race. The isles in general are very fer- 
tile, and capable of supporting large colonies. 
The isle of Caze9:ut is one of the most extensive, hein»* six 
leagues long by two wide : it is surrounded by banks and shoals, 
except at its N. E. and S. W. points, where vessels can anchor 
in perfect safety. It abounds in fruit and timber trees, as well 
ks in rice, pumpkins, peas, and every species of culinary vegeta- 
tes. The Negroes «^re idolaters^ and sacrifice cocks to their 
