a river of Western Africa, formed by the union of two branches, called the Ba Fing and the Ba Woolima. The former, which is the larger of the two, rises about N. Lat. 10. 30.; W. Long. 11. 19., in the mountains forming the south border of the elevated plain of Foota Jallon. It flows first to the east, past the town of Timbo, then turns to the north, traversing the desert of Jallon Kadoo; and after a course of more than 400 miles, unites its waters with the Ba Woolima. This river rises considerably to the N.E. of the other, near the left bank of the Joliba, or Niger, about N. Lat. 13., and W. Long. 7. 50. It flows first N.W., then W., for a distance of 300 miles, before joining the Ba Fing. The confluence takes place Senegal, about N. Lat. 14° 10', W. Long. 10° 30'. From this point the united stream runs first N.W., and then W., till it falls into the Atlantic, by two mouths, near the French settlement of St Louis. The whole length of the river is estimated at 1000 miles. Its most important affluents are the Furkooma, which joins the Ba-Fing; the Kokorro, which flows into the Ba-Woolima; and the Ba-Faleme, which falls into the united stream. In the lower part of its course the Senegal several times divides itself into branches, which enclose islands of considerable size. The navigation of the river is interrupted by the cataract of Feloo, which is 80 feet high, and nearly 600 miles above the mouth of the river, following its course, though not more than 350 in a straight line. This cataract, which is situated about 100 miles above the confluence of the Ba-Faleme, is the principal one on the river; forty miles above it is that of Gouinea. The windings of the Senegal are remarkably tortuous and circuitous. As far as the rock of Feloo, the country through which it flows is a level, having so small an inclination that a very slight interruption is sufficient to divert the course of the stream, so that it frequently seems on the point of returning to its source. It is only navigable during the rainy season, which extends from June till November; and even then the navigation is very slow and tedious. At the mouth of the river there is a bar, which prevents the entrance of all vessels drawing more than 12 feet of water, although immediately within it there is sufficient depth for ships of any size. The entrance of the bar has shifted from time to time, owing to the influence of opposite currents. Were it not for the perils to be met with on this river, it would be particularly interesting to the naturalist, as the extremely picturesque banks present a rich variety of the noblest productions of the vegetable kingdom, whilst the extensive forests abound with all kinds of wild animals. Amongst others, elephants are seen in large troops. In the shallow parts of the river are vast numbers of hippopotami, and caymans of prodigious size. The Senegal, like the Nile, annually overflows its banks, and spreads its fertilizing waters over the surrounding country. It forms the boundary during a great part of its course between the arid plains of the Sahara on the north, and the fertile regions of Senegambia on the south.

colonial dependency of France, on the W. coast of Africa. It consists of the island and town of St Louis, at the mouth of the Senegal; several forts along that river; the island and fort of Gorée, off Cape Verde; and Alreda, at the mouth of the Gambia (see Louis St. and Gorée). The trade and navigation of these settlements is considerable. In the year 1852 there entered at St Louis 89 vessels, all French, with a tonnage of 11,451; and there cleared 69, likewise all French, with a tonnage of 7418. At Gorée in the same year there entered 330, of which 309, tonnage 19,503, were French; and there cleared 280, of which 262, tonnage 16,345, were French. The following table exhibits the amount of goods of different kinds exported to France in 1855:

| Articles | Cwt. | L. | |----------|------|----| | Hides | 3,069| 11,247| | Arachis & other nuts | 80,298 | 122,016 | | Palm gum | 44,257 | 128,094 | | Palm oil | 205 | 305 | | Dye Woods | 7,574 | ... |

The value of the whole exports from St Louis was £283,972; and from Gorée, £297,638. The trade seems to be gradually but steadily passing from St Louis to Gorée. The population of the settlements in 1855 was as follows:

- St Louis: 9,223 - Gorée: 1,796 - Total: 18,470