remains in the washed earth; but they are not acquainted with the means of extracting it. Although the soil of Bouré is very fertile, no cultivation whatever is carried on: the inhabitants buy every thing of their neighbours; rice, millet, pistachio-nuts, pimento, every thing is bought with gold: they have horned cattle, and they breed some poultry. Before the war, Kankan furnished them largely with provisions, but, the communication being interrupted, no more are brought. Bouré has a considerable commerce with Bamako, which is six or eight days’ journey distant, down the Dhioliba. The Moors carry to this country large quantities of salt and other merchandise which they exchange. The gold of Bouré circulates throughout the whole interior, and finds its way to the French and English settlements on the coasts; while Jenné, which was formerly considered as the country most plentifully supplied with this precious metal, has none excepting what is brought from this rich tract: Sansanding, Yamina, and Ségo, are similarly circumstanced. Opposite to Bamako, it is said, there is a cataract which the Mandingoes call Fada; but, according to the accounts I have received, it is not very high, as the canoes can descend and ascend by a tow-line without even discharging their cargoes: this is the case during the swelling of the waters, when the cataract must be entirely covered. The Mandingoes of Sansanding and Yamina and many saracolets carry to Bouré salt and European merchandise. A well supplied market is held every day. This country is inhabited by Dhialonkés, who are partly idolaters; they have an absolute chief, who has the reputation of being a great warrior: he has many slaves employed in working the mines; and, besides the large quantity of gold that his labourers procure for him, each proprietor who digs for ore is obliged to give him half the produce of the day’s work. This chief was at this time making war upon the large villages situated on the banks of the river. Sansando, a considerable place, and capital of several smaller ones, held him in check; this village is almost opposite to Bouré, upon the right bank of the Dhioliba; it is also inhabited by idolatrous Dhialonkés. This war, or rather this pillage, did much injury to commerce. The canoes, which arrived loaded with merchandise, were often plundered by the inhabitants of Sansando, who are extremely envious of the wealth of Bouré. Boucary is the name of the chief of this rich country: although not a zealous Musulman, he treats with respect all persons of that religion, particularly the marabouts or priests. He has the utmost confidence in _grigris_, and never travels without having his clothes covered with them. Naturally very suspicious, he has several dwellings, and never sleeps twice in succession at the same: he has a great number of wives. At the gate of his court yard there is a triple guard, and, before any one can reach his presence, he must pass through five or six