with the country of the Mundingoes, in Africa. The country formerly called Meli, now chief- ly inhabited by the Mundingoes, who still retain pretty much of the character ascribed to the people of Meli, fes to the south of the river Gambia; on the west it borders on the kingdom of Kabo; on the south it has Melli, properly so called, and the mountains that part it from Guinea; and on the east it extends to the king- dom of Gago. With a great part of this country we are little acquainted, as is the case with regard to most of the inland territories of Africa; but towards the sea coast this country is a little better known.

The first place of note we meet with is Kachao, a Portuguese colony, situated on the river of St Do- mingo, which falls into the sea about 26 leagues below this town.—About 26 leagues above Kachao, on th Melilli, where, in the months of October and November, one may trade for about half the quantity of wax and ivory which is traded for at Kachoa. Here are also some slaves to be bought.—Bot is a village near the mouth of the river Gelves, where most of the traders buy rice; which is in great plenty there, and very good.—Gelves is a village on a river of the same name, on which the Portuguese have a factory. At Gelves one may trade yearly for 250 slaves, 80 or 100 quintals of wax, and as many of ivory. Near the mouth of the river of Gelves is a village called Kurbaldi, where there is a considerable trade for salt; here are also some slaves and ivory. Rio Grande, or the Great River, runs about 10 or 12 leagues to the south of the river of Gelves. About 80 leagues from the mouth of it is a nation of negroes, who are considerable traders in ivory, rice, millet, and some flaxes. They are called Anolons. Over against the mouth of Rio Grande is a cluster of islands called Biffago Isles; the most considerable of which is Caffaguet, being about six leagues long and two broad; its soil is very good, and produces millet, rice, and all kinds of pulse, besides orange and palm trees, and many others. This island, with those of Carache, Canabac, and La Gallina, are the only ones where the Europeans may trade with some security. They trade, however, sometimes at the other islands, but they must be extremely cautious; and yet after all their precautions, they will be robbed and murdered if they venture to go ashore. The river Nunho runs 16 leagues to the south of Rio Grande; it is very considerable, and comes from a vast distance inland. One may buy here 300 quintals of ivory and 100 slaves a-year. Rice grows here admirably well, and is very cheap. There are everywhere sugar canes which grow naturally; and plants of indigo, which might turn to good account. The trade is carried on here from March till August. In the river of Sierra Leone, the late Royal African Company of England had, in the year 1728, two islands; the one, called Taffo, a large flat island, near three leagues in circumference, in which the company's slaves had a good plantation; the rest of the island is covered with wood, among which are silk cotton trees of an unaccountable size. The other island is Benfe, wherein stood a regular fort. It was formerly the residence of one of the English chiefs.