ACCOUNT OF ÎSLE ST. LOUIS. 
115 
maîte small holes in the sand, from which they acquire a brack- 
ish water, and use it for want of better. Thty, however, filter 
it in different ways, which makes it tolerably good. But as 
these portions would not be sufficient for a supply of the colony, 
they send boats to the top of the river, whither the sea does not 
penetrate, and lill them with water, which they bring back. 
These voyages are repeated at different times in the month, ac- 
cording to the necessities of the colony. 
It may not be unserviceable to give some explanations of the 
holes which they make in the sand, for the purpose of procuring 
water : they are not deep, and only give out their water for an 
instant,' in consequence of which it is necessary to renew them 
in other positions, as often as a fresh supply is requisite. They 
expose it to the wind in earthen vases, which are not glazed. 
This water presents a phenomenon of a curious nature : it be- 
comes saline in proportion as that of the river gets fresh ; and 
as soon as the latter resumes its brackish taste, that taken from 
the holes in the sands is perceptibly sweeter. This double effect 
of the tide upon the water which is no longer in contact with it, 
is doubtless worthy of the attention of chemists. 
On the other hand, one cannot but be astonished to learn that 
the principal establishment of the French on the African coast, 
is without water during the greater part of the year, particularly 
when it is known that they are able to build cisterns with ease; as 
lime, sand, and bricks are to be found or made on the spot. 
Isle St. Louis, and those in its neighbourhood, are not proper 
for cultivation : their soil is flat, sandy, and barren, but little 
above the level of the river, and consequently exposed to inunda- 
tions ; that of Babague excepted. Those which he higher up 
possess, on the contrary, the greatest fertility, and produce cot- 
ton, indigo, and tobacco spontaneously. But it is an erroneous 
assertion that they contain orange and lemon trees, as 
these salutary fruits are totally unknown on the banks of the 
Senegal. 
' In the small circumference of Isle St. Louis, there are a fort, 
a powder-magazine, a hospital, a church, and about twenty 
brick houses. The Negroes, whether slaves or freemen, in- 
habit wooden huts covered with thatch, and of a conical form. 
AW the streets are large and perfectly straight, which produces 
an agreeable effect. A large burying-ground is also at the 
southern point. 
The inhabitants are very religious, though they are not all 
Catholics ; I even think that the greater portion are Mahome- 
dans : nevertheless, they all live together in peace and harmony. 
Each sect believes in God, and adores him after its own 
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