gardens of Senegal, though their plants have been much praised, are
nevertheless few in number, and in very bad condition. The whole of
their cultivation is limited to some bad cabbages, devoured by the
insects, a plot of bitter radishes, and two or three beds of salad,
withered before it is fit for use; but these vegetables, it must be
said, are very exquisite, because there are none better. The governor's
garden, however, is stocked with various plants, such as cucumbers,
melons, carrots, Indian pinks, some plants of barren ananas, and some
marigolds. There are also in the garden three date trees, a small vine
arbour, and some young American and Indian plants. But these do not
thrive, as much on account of the poverty of the soil, as the hot winds
of the Desert, which wither them. Some, nevertheless, are vigorous, from
being sheltered by walls, and frequently watered.

Five or six trees, somewhat bushy (island fig-trees), are planted here
and there in the streets, where may be seen also four or five baobabs,
the leaves of which are devoured by the negroes before they are fully
blown,[9] and a palm of the species of Ronn, which serves as a
signal-post for ships at sea.

[Footnote 9: The negroes use the leaves of the Baobab as gluten,
prepare their Kouskou, (a kind of pulp).]

A league and a half from the island of St Louis, is situated the island
of Babaguey. It is almost entirely cultivated, but the soil is so arid
that it will scarcely grow any thing but cotton. There is a military
station on this island, and a signal-post. MM. Artigue and Gansfort each
have a small dwelling here. The house, built in the European manner,
which is there seen, serves to hold the soldiers, and to accommodate the
officers of Senegal on their parties of pleasure.

The island of Safal is situated to the east of Babaguey, and is
separated from it by an arm of the river. This was the asylum which we
chose in the end to withdraw from misery, as will be seen in the sequel.

To the east of the island of Safal, is situated the large island of
Bokos, the fertility of which is very superior to the three preceding.
Here are seen large fields of millet, maize, cotton, and indigo, of the
best quality. The negroes have established large villages here, the
inhabitants of which live in happy ease.

To the north of these islands, and to the east of Senegal, is the island
of Sor, where resides a kind of Black Prince, called by the French Jean