it in this manner.  The child answered as follows in the Yoloffe language:  “I saw this lizard come out of a hedge, I immediately seized it by the tail and hind feet:  I raised it from the ground, and with my left hand took it by the neck; and holding it very fast, and at a distance from my body, I carried it in this manner to the village of Gandiolle, where I met one of my companions, who tied his legs, and persuaded me to come and present it to the Toubabes who are in the tent; he told me also that they were Frenchmen, and as we love them much, I have come to see them, and offer them this lizard.”  After these details, Mr. Correard presented the but end of his piece to the animal, which made a deep indenture with its teeth; having then presented it the end of the barrel, it immediately seized it furiously, and broke all its teeth, which made it bleed very much; nevertheless, it made no effort to disengage itself from its bonds.[65]

The environs of Gandiolle appear to be extremely fertile; we find there grass two metres in height, fields of maize and millet.  This country is full of large pieces of water, which the natives call marigots; the major part of which cover an immense space; but it would be easy to drain them by means of some little canals, particularly in the part near the coast.  These lands would be very productive, and proper for the culture of the sugar cane:  the soil is mud mixed with very fine sand.[A15]

After having examined the environs of St. Louis, let us cast a glance upon the rock called the Island of Goree, and its environs.  This isle is nothing of itself; but its position renders it of the greatest importance:  it is situated in longitude 19 deg. 5’, and in latitude 14 deg. 40’ 10”, half a league from the main land, and thirty-six leagues from the mouth of the Senegal.  The Cape de Verd Islands, are eighty leagues to the West.  It is this position that renders it mistress of all the commerce of these countries.  Its port is excellent; and so great a number of ships and boats are seen there that its road is continually covered; there is so much activity that some persons have said the Island of Goree was, perhaps, the point in the world, where there was most bustle and population.  The number of its inhabitants is estimated at 5000 souls, which is by no means in proportion with its confined surface, which is not above 910 metres in length, and 245 in breadth.  Its circumference is not above 2000 metres.  It is only a very high rock, the access to the coasts, of which is very difficult.  The numerous rocks, which surround it on all sides, have made some navigators give it the name of Little Gibraltar; and if nature were seconded by art, there is no doubt but like that, it would become impregnable.  It was first taken possession of by Admiral d’Estrees, about the end of the year 1677.  This isle lies in the direction of S.S.E and N.N.W. and is only about 2600 metres distant from Cape Verd.  It is defended