Bart. The general aspect of this island is arid, but there are places
susceptible of being made into large plantations. M. Valentin, merchant
at St Louis, has already planted several thousand feet of cotton, which
is in a thriving condition. But that island being very much exposed to
the incursions of the Moors of the Desert, it would perhaps be
imprudent to live in it.

A multitude of other islands, formed by the encroachments of the river
upon the mainland, border on those of which I have already spoken,
several leagues distant to the north and east. They are principally
covered with marshes, which it would be difficult to drain. In these
islands grows the patriarch of vegetables described by the celebrated
Adanson, under the name of Baobab,[10] the circumference of which is
often found to be above one hundred feet.

[Footnote 10: Vide Note C.]

Several other islands, more or less extended than the preceding, rise
above the river near to St Louis, as far as Podor; the greater part of
which are not inhabited, although their soil is as fertile as those near
Senegal. This indifference of the negroes in cultivating these islands,
is explained by the influence which the Moors of the Desert of Sahara
are permitted to have over all the country bordering upon Senegal, the
inhabitants of which they carry off to sell to the slave merchants of
the island of St Louis. It is not to be doubted, that the abolition of
the slave trade, and the acquisition which the French have made in the
country of Dagama, will soon destroy the preponderance of the barbarians
of the Desert upon the banks of the Senegal; and that things being
placed on their former footing, the negroes established in the French
colonies will be permitted to enjoy in peace the fields which they have
planted.

Among all the islands, Tolde, which is about two leagues in
circumference, seems to be the most convenient for a military and
agricultural station. The fertility of its soil, and its being situated
between the two principal points where the gum trade is carried on,
gives it the triple advantage of being able to maintain the garrison
which is placed upon it, of protecting the trade and navigation of the
river, and of preventing the Moors from driving away the negroes from
their peaceful habitations. Plantations have already been made in the
island of Tolde, of coffee, sugar-canes, indigo, and cotton, which have
perfectly succeeded. M. Richard, agricultur