In Some Parts, Where The
Country Ascends Into Hills, The Air Is At All Times, Comparatively
Cool; Yet None Of The Districts Which I Traversed Could Properly Be
Called Mountainous.
About the middle of June the hot and sultry
atmosphere is agitated by violent gusts of wind (called tornadoes),
accompanied with thunder and rain.
These usher in what is
denominated "the rainy season," which continues until the month of
November. During this time the diurnal rains are very heavy, and
the prevailing winds are from the south-west. The termination of
the rainy season is likewise attended with violent tornadoes, after
which the wind shifts to the north-east, and continues to blow from
that quarter during the rest of the year
When the wind sets in from the north-east it produces a wonderful
change in the face of the country. The grass soon becomes dry and
withered, the rivers subside very rapidly, and many of the trees
shed their leaves. About this period is commonly felt the
harmattan, a dry and parching wind blowing from the north-east, and
accompanied by a thick smoky haze, through which the sun appears of
a dull red colour. This wind in passing over the great desert of
Sahara acquires a very strong attraction for humidity, and parches
up everything exposed to its current. It is, however, reckoned very
salutary, particularly to Europeans, who generally recover their
health during its continuance. I experienced immediate relief from
sickness, both at Dr. Laidley's and at Kamalia, during the
harmattan. Indeed, the air during the rainy season is so loaded
with moisture that clothes, shoes, trunks, and everything that is
not close to the fire becomes damp and mouldy, and the inhabitants
may be said to live in a sort of vapour-bath; but this dry wind
braces up the solids, which were before relaxed, gives a cheerful
flow of spirits, and is even pleasant to respiration. Its ill
effects are, that it produces chaps in the lips, and afflicts many
of the natives with sore eyes.
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.
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