200 
FISHING-HOUSES. 
The country at the lower part of this branch is called, 
by the Brass people, Senama ; by the Aku, Takiri ; and 
by those of Ibu, Iwenni. A canoe can reach the salt 
water in six days’ hard pulling ; but there is no passage 
to the higher parts of the Niger except by the main 
branch. The principal traffic consists in slaves, palm- 
oil, and trona. They do not profess to have much ivory. 
The Ibu people do not venture beyond this place, which is 
the lowest in Obi’s dominion ; and the natives of Oniah 
do not go lower down than Senama, to which place the 
Benin traders meet them by a creek called Egba. The 
principal occupation of the Brass people is in conveying 
palm-oil, as the Slave-trade is “ spoiled ” for them. It 
was not thought prudent to descend this branch more 
than five or six miles : it doubtless has a communi- 
cation with that fine one joining the Oguborih River 
at the “ meeting of the waters.” We returned, and 
continued our voyage up the main channel, which is of 
magnificent dimensions. The reach being about seven 
miles long, a mile and a half wide where the branches 
separate, but contracting at the upper end to half a 
mile. 
The fishing-houses which we have seen along the 
banks, are rude but curious buildings. The natives 
generally select places where there is a little eddy, and 
here a look-out hut is built on four high posts. The 
net is a large circular one, suspended to a long pole, 
supported on two uprights. From time to time. 
