274 
MONGO-MA-LOBAH. 
sun, while the deep shadows thrown across its base 
inTolved all the lower parts in gloom, hiding the deep 
ravines which furrow its rugged sides. Although at 
a distance, this noble mountain appears to rise by 
one continuous and somewhat abrupt slope from the 
sea, on a closer view, it is found to consist of a suc- 
cession of hills with intervening valleys of the richest 
soil, covered to within a third of the summit by beau- 
tiful forest trees, which are also seen fringing the still 
higher ravines. The remainder is clothed with grass, 
which becomes more scanty, as the colour which ap- 
proaches the reddish brown of the ashes near the 
cone, sufficiently indicates. The volcanic origin of the 
whole of this district, is strongly marked by the scoria 
and numerous streams of lava which have reached the 
sea. From the present condition of its surface, one 
might suppose it to have been for ages in a state of 
repose ; but there is reason to believe it sometimes 
betrays its latent fires. Mr. Lilly, who has known 
the mountain many years, assured us he had seen 
flames near the summit. This might be accounted 
for by the practice of the natives, who burn the grass 
in the dry season for the purpose of catching the wild 
animals, which they style “ bush-meat but several 
of the principal natives of Bimbia declared, that about 
three years previous to our visit, that is about 1839, 
“fire came out of the ground;” they said, “God made 
it in contradistinction to that caused by the burning 
of the grass. “ They all saw it ; and at Mongo, they felt 
