SERPENTS; ANIMALS^ 8CC, 
31 
they apply is the actual cautery. Wheft they happen to possess 
gunpowder, they cover the puncture with it and explode it, which 
produces a scar that draws out the venom. These accidents, 
however, are not frequent, and the negroes in general do not ap- 
pear to apprehend them. Tiie Cereses, on the contrary, dread 
the serpents, and ke&p them from their habitations as much as 
possible; indeed, they are continually at war with them, lay 
snares for them with much adroitness, and, on finding them, etit 
heir flesh, which they think very good. 
The serpents have otlier and still more terrible enemies, which 
are the eagles that abound thrcughoutthe country: they are of t\m 
same species as those in Europe, but far superior in size and 
strength. 
We also meet ii] the iournev above described numerous hordes 
of elephants; but they do no injury, nor ever disturb travellers: 
mid likewise witli parties of apes, who amuse by their watching 
and singular antics. There is also an aquatic animal sometimes 
found which the Cereses call honrba. This animal is some- 
thing between the bear and the hog: its hair is short, thin, and 
whitish ; and its feet have tolerably strong and pointed claws^ 
which it uses to climb up trees like the bear. Its head is more 
like the bear's than the hog's; and though wild, it has not a ter- 
rific aspect. Its eyes are small and half closed, notwithstanding 
which it is very active. Its mouth is large and furnished with long 
and sharp strong teeth. It lives almost constantly in the rivers^, 
notwithstanding wliich it is ascertained to be amphibious : its size 
is equal to that of a hog about a year old ; and its flesh is fat and , 
succulent. 
Several pei'sons have published their accounts of this little jour- 
ney, and they all agree in stating that it is easy and agreeable. 
Indeed, I never heard of the ^slightest accident happening to those 
who performed it. The travellers arrive unfatigued at the village 
of Gandiolle, which is situated at the mouth of the Senegal, vvhej c 
they embark in canoes, and proceed to isle St. Louis in two of 
three hours, ascending the river by means of their oars. 
The coast on which the commerce with Goree is established, 
as has been specifled in the preccxluig passages, is divided amongst^ 
and governed by, four negro kings. The most important and 
considerable of these states is that of Cayor, which is worthy of 
particular attention on account of the influence which its king, 
named Darnel, has had in the success or disasters of the French 
establishments in this vicinity. 
The kingdom of Cayor begins in the province of Toube on 
the continent, and is about six leagues distant eastwards of Sene- 
gal, from which it is only separated by some marshes and tîie isle 
of SQr. It extends along the sea as far as the village called Grand 
i 
