YAM COUNTRY. 
397 
Agriculture is almost wholly neglected at the sea-coast, 
for which, indeed, the swampy nature of the land is a 
sufficient excuse. The Brass people consequently 
depend on the trade with Ibu for a supply of yams. 
In ascending from the mouth of the river, small patches 
of cleared bank appear near the villages for the 
growth of plantain ; they are surrounded by an impene- 
trable forest where the palm-trees grow in amazing 
numbers. The cocoa-nut tree is found only near 
villages, which proves them not to be indigenous, 
according to Dr. Vogel. At Egabdh and Ibu, yams are 
raised in great quantities; the former is called, par 
excellence, the yam country. No corn is produced 
in these parts, indeed, there is no room for it. From 
Iddah towards the interior, agriculture is much more 
actively carried on. Cotton, of short staple, is grown 
in limited quantity, for their own consumption; also 
tobacco of very mild quality, and indigo of a superior 
kind. In articles for food, excellent yams, in great abun- 
dance, maize, rice, and several other kinds of corn called 
Dauer, (Sorghum), Ghiro, (Milium), and Atchkh, the 
latter, called Teff in Abyssinia, is a small grain, and makes 
delicious puddings. There are two qualities of rice, one 
coarse and red, the other very small and white. The 
only implements of husbandry were a hoe and a sort of 
pick-axe. In the beginning of the wet season, the hills 
echo to the cheerful song and laugh of the cultivators 
of the soil. The song, indeed, occupies much more time 
