Historical Account of Discoveries and Travels in Africa (1), Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1818 edition. Excerpt: ...and'dexterously struck it in that part of the neck where there are neither bones nor scales, so that it was nearly cut through. The crocodile rising, struck with his tail such a blow as overset his opponent. He instantly rose, however, and wrapped his paan or cloak round the animal's jaw, while another held the tail, and a third mounted on the back. A second stroke of the knife then severed the head from the body. The flesh was much relished by the negroes, and did not appear to Adanson so bad as had been reported. Our author observed, also, a gigantic species of serpent, frequent on the banks of the Senegal. The largest he saw was 22 feet long; but concurring testimonies assured him, that they were often of much greater dimensions, and resembled the mast of an ordinary ship. This creature wreathes his tail into several circles, above which he rears his head and part of his body. In this attitude he looks round for prey; but, fortunately, he is thus very conspicuous, and warns men and even animals to avoid him. He devours chiefly lizards, toads, and locusts, the scourges of the country, and his presence is thus considered as a blessing. Our author, in one of his rambles, had an opportunity of observing the negroes' mode of tillage. The whole village went out with their lord or chief at their head, and accompanied by all the musical performers whom they were able to assemble. On reaching the field, the music immediately struck up, and the labourers began their task, keeping exact time, and working faster or slower, according to the tune that was played. Their attitudes were such, that no uninformed spectator could have doubted that it was a ball at which they were performing. In the year 1753, Adanson began to think of returning to France. He...