To the east of the countries hitherto noticed lies the table-land of the Jaleofe, which is of great extent, occupying the whole country between the valleys of the Senegal and Gambia from 13' told' W. long. The interior of this vast region has not been visited by travellers, and appears to be only inhabited by some wandering tribes during the rainy season, on account of the pastures which are found there at that time. Towards the mouth of the Senegal the declivities of the elevated ground approach very near to the river. Travellers have observed that the surface of these declivities is almost entirely a reddish sand, which absorbs abundance of moisture without acquiring the least dmree of fertility. Still there occur some tracts of moderato extent which are inclosed by higher grounds, in which the waters of the rainy season collect, and give to the sand a mixture of mould which so far fertilises these tracts that millet can be cultivated on them. In these depressions villages are situated, but only at great distances from each other. Water is obtained from wells, which vary from 20 to 80 yards in depth. In some places large forests of acacias era found. The most fertile portion of this inhospitable region is the north-eastern declivity, where the surface is much less level, and in many places Interspersed with high hills and short ridges, between which there are many tracts of considerable extent, on which millet, cotton, and indigo are cultivated. On the pastures which occur in these tracts large herds of cattle are fed. Near the only two rivers by which this region Is drained, the Sahli and Guiloom, large tract. are covered by ferruginous rocks, but the Inhabitants have turned them to account, having in many places furnaces to smelt them for the purpose of extracting the Iron. This part of the table land, though much less fertile than the adjacent valley of the Senegal, appkans to be no less populous.
Southeast of the table-laud of the Jaloofs begins the higher country, which does not however immediately rise into mountains, but the western districts consist of numerous hills and abort ridges, rising to a moderate elevation. A range of mountains which runs along the western banks of the Ba Faleme may be considered as the boundary line between the hilly and mountainous country. The hills, consisting mostly of ferruginous rocks, from which iron is extracted, are for the most part thinly covered with low stunted wood, little of which is fit for anything but fuel. The valleys and level grounds which are inclosed by these hills are mostly cleared for cultivation. The beds of numerous torrents intersect the valleys in every direction : they are dry in the dry season, but during the rains they conduct the water which is collected on the high grounds to the Faleme and Gambia. Towards the source of the Faleme the country, though more elevated, is much leas broken, and there occur some extensive plains, which are partly covered with woods and partly with jungles of bamboo. A very small part of them is cultivated, and they are the haunts of wild beasts, especially of elephants and lions. Millet, maize, rice, cotton, and indigo are cultivated. Numerous tamarinds, boababs, and other fruit-trees are scattered over the valleys, and many parts of the country are very picturesque. The inhabitants are tolerably rich, which is partly owing to the circumstance that the most frequented commercial road between Sudan and the European establishments on the coast passes through this region.
The mountain region extends over the western portion of Sene gambia, including all the countries situated on and between the numerous rivers which, by their confluence, form the Senegal. This region appears to be surrounded on the !south, east, and north by a continued range of mountains. Tho inclosed region seems to be occupied by rocky ridges, which consist almost entirely of iron-stone and elate, with a very thin covering. Iu the valleys, which in some parts are extensive, a good deal of alluvial soil is found; and in these places millet, maize, and other grains are cultivated. On the southern district is a wilderness, which extends upwards of 100 miles from east to west, and is inhabited by wild beasts. This region is rich in metals. Excellent iron is obtained by the negroes from the iron atone; and there are several places where gold in considerable quan tities is collected.
The l'ai/ey of the Gambia and the Country south of it.—The country situated immediately on the banks of the Gambia, as far as Pisani; consists of a level alluvial tract extondiug about two miles from tho river. It is subject to annual inundations during the rains. A great part of it is swampy, or covered with mangrove-trees; in other places the ground has been cleared, and is cultivated with rice. At the back of this low tract the country rises to a moderate elevation above the level of the river when swollen by the rains. The soil is very various Though often sandy, it is rather fertile ; but sometimes it consists of a hard yellow clay, mixed with small quartz pebbles, and is of indifferent quality. Baobab; tamarinds, and rhamnus lotus, and other fruit-trees are grown in several places; but the principal objects of cultivation in the cleared grounds are mandioc, maize, cotton, indigo, and French beans.
The coast-line between Cape St. Mary, situated at the mouth of the Gambia, and Cape Varga, is extremely low, and is intersected by numerous channels, which form many islands. It is said that the space between the Gambia and Nuttez is occupied by an archipelago of low islands, but the mud banks which surround Hulse islands towards the open sea are so dangerous to large vessels that a part of the coast between the river Compoonee and the Rio Grande has never been surveyed, and is laid down on our maps at random. Though these islands do not contain fresh water, they are not only inhabited but populous. It seems that the inhabitants use the palm-wine 88 a substitute for water. They cultivate some roots and nee, but chiefly occupy themselves with making salt, an important article of commerce in these parts of Africa, as all the salt consumed in Sudan is either obtained from the Sahara or from this coast. This low archipelago constituter, the outer edge of a level and low country, which extends to a great distance inland. It seems for the meet part to be composed of alluvial soil, and the large rivers which traverse it divide into many arms, several of which reach the sea, whilst others reunite. The whole country to a great distance from the shore is of great fertility, but in general is very little cultivated. In some places there are forests from which supplies of timber are obtained, and savannas which serve as pasture-ground for large herds of cattle.