MOSQUITOS. 
249 
and grape-vines yield their fruit twice in each year, with- 
out any labor or irrigation being bestowed on them. All 
grains and vegetables, if only sown, do the same; and, if 
advantage is taken of the mists of winter, oven throo crops 
of pulse may bo raised. Cotton was now standing in the 
pods in his fields, and ho did not seem to care about it. 1 
understood him to say that this last plant flourishes, but the 
wet of one of the two rainy seasons with which this coun- 
try is favored sometimes proves troublesome to the grower. 
I am not awaro whether wheat has ever been tried, but 1 
saw both figs and grapes bearing well. Tho great com’- 
plaint of all cultivators is tho want of a good road to carry 
their produce to market. Hero all kinds of food aro re- 
markably cheap. 
Farther on we left tho mountainous country, and, as we 
descended toward the west coast, saw the lands assuming 
a moro sterile, uninviting aspect. On our right ran tho 
river Scnza, which nearer the sea takes the name of Bongo 
It is about fifty yards broad, and navigablo for canoos 
The low plains adjacent to its banks aro protected from 
inundation by- embankments, and tho population is entirely 
occupied in raising food and fruits for exportation to 
Loanda by moans of canoes. Tho banks are infested by 
myriads of tho most ferocious mosquitos I over met. Not 
one of our party could get a snatch of sleep. I was taken 
mto tho house of a Portuguese, but was soon glad to make 
my escape and lie across tho path on the lee side of the 
fire, where tho smoko blow over my body. My host won- 
dered at my want of taste, and I at his want of feeling; 
for, to our astonishment, he and the other inhabitants had 
actually bccomo used to what was at least equal to a nail 
through tho heel of ono’s boot, or tho toothache. 
As wo wero now drawing near to tho sea, my com- 
panions were looking at every thing in a serious light. One 
°f them asked mo if wo should all have an opportunity of 
Watching each othor at Loanda. “ Supposo one went lbi 
water: womd the others see if ho wero kidnapped?* I 
