Whenever The Grass Is Sufficiently Dry The Negroes Set It On Fire;
But In Ludamar And Other Moorish Countries This Practice Is Not
Allowed, For It Is Upon The Withered Stubble That The Moors Feed
Their Cattle Until The Return Of The Rains.
The burning the grass
in Manding exhibits a scene of terrific grandeur.
In the middle of
the night I could see the plains and mountains, as far as my eye
could reach, variegated with lines of fire, and the light, reflected
on the sky, made the heavens appear in a blaze. In the daytime
pillars of smoke were seen in every direction, while the birds of
prey were observed hovering round the conflagration, and pouncing
down upon the snakes, lizards, and other reptiles which attempted to
escape from the flames. This annual burning is soon followed by a
fresh and sweet verdure, and the country is thereby rendered more
healthful and pleasant.
Of the most remarkable and important of the vegetable productions
mention has already been made; and they are nearly the same in all
the districts through which I passed. It is observable, however,
that although many species of the edible roots which grow in the
West India Islands are found in Africa, yet I never saw, in any part
of my journey, either the sugar-cane, the coffee, or the cocoa-tree,
nor could I learn, on inquiry, that they were known to the natives.
The pine-apple and the thousand other delicious fruits which the
industry of civilised man (improving the bounties of nature) has
brought to so great perfection in the tropical climates of America,
are here equally unknown.
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