al botanist to the
government, has placed there a general nursery for the French
establishments. Three leagues from the island of Tolde, farther up the
river, is the village of Dagama, situated upon the left bank of the
river, and at the extremity of the kingdom of Brak, or of Walo. In that
village, the French have already planted several batteries, where begin
their agricultural establishments, which end about six leagues from the
island of St Louis. A large portion of that ground has been given to the
French planters, who have planted cotton upon it of the best kind, which
promises to be a branch of lucrative commerce to France. Here is placed
the plantation of M. Boucaline, as being the largest and best
cultivated, the king having given him a premium of encouragement of
10,000 franks. A little distant from the plantation of Boucaline are the
grounds of the royal grant, covered with more than ten thousand feet of
cotton. This beautiful plantation, established by the care of M. Roger,
now governor of Senegal, is at present directed by M. Rougemont with a
zeal above all praise.

Near to the village of Dagama, up the river, is the island of Morfil,
which is not less than fifty leagues from east to west, and about eight
or ten in breadth. The negroes of the republic of Peules cultivate great
quantities of millet, maize, indigo, cotton, and tobacco. The country of
the Peules negroes extends about one hundred and twenty leagues, by
thirty in breadth. It is a portion of the ancient empire of the negro
Wolofs, which, in former times, comprehended all the countries situated
between the rivers Senegal and Gambia. The country of the Peules is
watered by a branch of the Senegal, which they call Morfil; and, like
Lower Egypt, owes its extreme fertility to its annual overflowing. The
surprising abundance of their harvests, which are twice a year, makes it
considered as the granary of Senegal. Here are to be seen immense fields
finely cultivated, extensive forests producing the rarest and finest
kinds of trees, and a prodigious diversity of plants and shrubs fit for
dying and medicine.

To the east of the Peules is the country of Galam,[11] or Kayaga,
situated two hundred leagues from the island of St Louis. The French
have an establishment in the village of Baquel. This country, from its
being a little elevated, enjoys at all times a temperature sufficiently
cool and healthful. Its soil is considered susceptible of every species