PRODUCTIONS OF SIERRA LÈONE, 
91 
To all the natural advantages of the soil in question may bè 
added, that of its being proper for the cultivation of every thing 
which contributes to the riches of our American colonies. Sugar- 
canes would succeed perfectly well upon it; and the coffee- tree 
already grows there, of two different species ; both of which, 
however, are unknown in Europe. ]N evertheless, that of the 
West India islands is also cultivated; and its fruit is said to be 
of as a good quality as that in the Levant. Tobacco of the com- 
mon kind likewise thrives amazingly; but the natives do not cul- 
tivate it; and the cotton-tree is to be met with in every part 
of this country in the greatest abundance, as well as the kind of 
the tree which affords silk. 
This country is also enriched by peculiar kinds of spices. 
There are several species of pepper, nutmeg, and thyme, as 
M ell as others of uncommon hne flavour, which the natives use 
for different physical purposes, notwithstanding there is a va- 
riety of physical plants. There has been discovered at Sierra 
Leone a new kind of Peruvian bark; and commerce may here- 
after make it of nuich importance, as its virtue has been ascer- 
tained not only by the use which the natives make of it, but from 
the experiments to which it has been submitted at London. 
The cola is a fruit celebrated in the country both by the natives 
and the Portuguese, as a substitute for the Peruvian bark. The 
latter people even send ^hips along the coast to collect it in great 
quantities. The nut that contains castor-oil, grows in every part 
of these districts. 
Nature, indeed, has not confined herself to this variety of pro- 
ductions, but has placed at the disposition of man those objects 
which afford him the greatest pleasure. At Sierra Leone the 
substances used for dying are found in abundance. A yelloAv 
colour is extracted from the butter-tree ; and the indigo, which 
grows spontaneously in every part, affords the finest blue. From 
many other vegetables may be obtained black and red colours. 
The different species of the mineral kingdom, in the neigh- 
bourhood of Sierra Leone, are as yet but little known ; a search, 
however, will soon be made, and we shall know the result. This 
country is equally rich in animals. Cattle of all kinds succeed 
in it and fatten, though not so easily as in Europe. The wool 
of sheep undergoes a change in consequence of the heat, and be-* 
comes thin ; but goals and hogs breed amazingly, and prove as 
fat as in other countries. The wild hogs, squirrels, and ante- 
lopes mav likewise be reckoned amono;st the animals at Sierra. 
Leone, which are proper for the food of man. They raise 
there all kinds of poultry known in Europe, which breed un- 
commonly fast. There h a species of heron, which is easily tamed,, 
M 3 
