CHAP. XIIL 
fcoURSE OF THE SENEGAL, AND DISTINCTION BETWEEN 
IT AND THE N I G ER.— AC C OU NT OF THE PEOPLE WHO 
OCCUPY ITS BANKS. KINGDOxMS AND INHABITANTS 
ON THE LEFT SIDE. ACCOUNT OF KING BRACK, AND 
HIS LUDICROUS CONDUCT AT AN INTERVIEW WITH 
THE GOVERNOR. DEFEAT OF A MOORISH PRINCE. 
BATTLE BETWEEN THE VICTOR AND THE KING OF 
CAYOR, WITH ITS RESULTS.— -ANIMALS OF THE BANKS 
OF THE SENEGAL. 
JL HJÉ Senegal, on the banks of wbich almost all tlie com- 
merce of western Africa is carried on, and which has given its 
fiame to the French estabhsiiment in this part of the world, runs 
from its source for forty leagues or thereabout N. N* W. and 
then turns diie N. as far as the cataracts of Govina: thence it 
hms ro the N. W. till it reaches the cataracts of Felou; W. as 
fiar as Galam- N. W. to Faribé; and W. to Serimpale. From 
this part it turns abruptly to the S.; and after several cùrvatioû's 
it continues the same direction to the sea. In its course it di- 
vides itself into several branches, and forms two large lakes aiid 
some isles, of which 1 shall have occasion to speak. 
It has long been thought that the Senegal and the Niger were 
the same river; and they were indifferently called by each name. 
Several ancient and hiodei'n authors have maintained this opi- 
nion; and others have controverted it. But the discoveries of 
Mungo Park have irrevocably decided the point; as this tra- 
veller has found, that the Senegal and the Niger are two dif- 
ferent rivers whose course is opposite; the former miming in a 
western, arid the latter in an eastern direction. 
In all seasons, the Senegal is navigable foi sfnall vessels and 
large boats, from its mouth as far as Podor, and even to Do- 
tniis, vvliich is twelve leagues higher. It cannot be ascended 
higher so as to reach Galam, except in the rainy season, wheri 
there is sufficient water to navigate vessels fron^ 130 to 150 tons 
burthen. 
There are two lakes formed by this river, one called the Bask^ 
et-lake; and the other taking its name from Cayor. The banks 
of the forfner are fertile, and well peopled ; but the inhabitants' 
being intolerably lazy , often suffer the greatest missry, partica* 
BURAND.] Ç 
