192 
THE EDEBYAHS, 
east and west coasts of Africa, he says, “Our inter- 
course with savages of various tribes and nations, for 
the last four years, has far exceeded that which gene- 
rally falls to the lot of navigators, or of travellers over- 
land, yet never did we meet with a people more savage 
in appearance, or more singular in their customs, than 
the people of Fernando Po.” If that officer could 
have had time and proper opportunity, no doubt we 
should have been furnished with many particulars of 
their domestic and general history; and it seems truly 
astonishing that no subsequent visitor should have 
taken the trouble to inquire into the condition of this 
strange people, or to draw attention to the anomalous 
combination of barbarism and civilization which obtains 
among them. 
Hitherto they have only been known to Europeans 
as tlie Boobies, or Bubies, and perhaps satisfied with 
the belief that this name must have arisen from some- 
thing connected with their mental condition, too 
many visitors of the island have passed over un- 
heeded, or with a few casual remarks, this most sin- 
gular people. 
The proper title of this race is Edeeyah, how or 
whence derived we knoM^ not. The first impression 
on beholding the Edeeyah in his native woods is cer- 
tainly anything but favourable, and makes one feel 
rather anxious to avoid Communication. The face is 
cut and disfigured with transverse stripes, which, to 
come up to their standard of beauty, ought to be as 
