SINGULAR METHOD OF INTERMENT. 
mense quantities of fish between Capes Verdand Manuel, where 
the lake empties itself into the sea; and ihe vast iiocks of birds, 
which live on its banks, also devour quantities of fish. xVniongst 
the birds is a species which seems to belong to the falcon tribe: 
they have a brown plumage^, with some white feathers at the neck 
and extremities of the wings. Their beak is thick and curved like 
a sickle, so that the fish which they take cannot escape. They 
have short thighs and claws ; and the latter are armed with 
strong aj^d sharp nails. They fiy easily, and keep themselves for 
a considerable time on the surface of the water with the head in- 
clined. When a fish appears they dart upon it, and carry it off 
to devour amongst the reeds. They have been sometimes shot^ 
but they cannot be eaten, as their fiesh has such a rank and fishv 
taste, tmd is full of oil. Near this lake, and in several parts of 
the route lately mentioned, are numbers of tmmpet birds, whose 
potes resemble the sound of that instrument. They are black, 
and of the size of a turkey-cock, to which they are nearly similar 
in shape. Their lower beak is hollow and sonorous ; and it is by 
this that they produce the sound described. 
The lake just mentioned is named after the Cereses or Serays, 
some tribes of negroes who inhabit its banks : they form, as in 
every otiier part where they establish themselves, a sort of demo- 
cratic republic, witliout knowing the principles of that kind of 
government; but following in this case their instinct and wishes, 
they never choose to acknowlege any master. They live in a com- 
plete state of nature, without any other rules than what she in- 
spires : they have no idea of the divinity, and are persuaded that 
the soul dies with the body. They go almost entirely naked, 
speak a particular language, which differs from that of all their 
neighbours, and never intemiai ry with the other negroes, whom 
they dislike to such a degree, that they seem to be as averse from 
trading with them, as they would be from a contagion. One of 
the principal traits in their cliaracter is the resentment which they 
bear for offences, which they never pardon: and if they do not 
take vengeance themselves, they transmit their hatred to their 
children, and it subsists in the family till reparation be made for 
the real or supposed injury. In other respects they are a good 
kind of people, mild and simple in their manners, and hospitable 
even to officiousness. They give a particularly kind reception to 
the whites who pass through their country, cajefully cultivate 
their lands, and raise a great number of cattle. 
They have a great respect for the dead, whom they inter with- 
out their villages, in round or square spots, like those which they 
1 inhabit. After exposing the body on a bed they plaister the 
stakes, which form the square of interment, "with a kind of clay, 
and also encompass it with a wall about a foot thick, which cuds 
