272 
WIDTH OF THE RIVER. 
right shore consisted of fig-trees, with long branches 
covered with fructification shooting out from the red 
wood and white bark, visible at a great distance. The 
ants were here dreadfully troublesome to the explorers. 
A very sweet powerful odour was perceived, like that of 
a Tetracera, gathered below Abbh ; though no flowers 
could be seen in the vicinity, some were afterwards per- 
ceived at a distance with the telescope. 
The character of the Niger had changed, as well 
as the appearance of the banks. Its course was nearly 
straight, instead of the numerous, and sometimes rapid 
windings of the reaches lower down. 
There are many islands, which prevent the possibility 
of ascertaining the width of the river, as the true 
banks are seldom seen; but in the breaks between 
these it sometimes seems to be a mile and a half wide. 
The water is deep, especially near the right shore. On 
the left bank were many small huts raised on poles, 
from which the natives drop their fishing lines into the 
water. 
At this part of the river the sickness fell on the crews 
of the vessels of the former Expedition, as it were, at one 
blow. In a few days, all, with the exception of Lander 
and Allen, were seized with fever, and the whole 
attendance on the sick depended on these two ; the latter 
not having been taken ill until some were convalescent, 
and Lander, having been well-seasoned, escaped. 
Hitherto our crews had continued in perfect health; 
but they were aware that nine of the victims of 1832 
were buried on the right hank, a little higher up. 
