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African Memoranda. rivers the sea coast is formed by ten islands in an extent of 69 leagues, or rather more than 200 geographical miles. The continent between these two latitudes, is bounded on the north by the river Gambia, which is navigable by large vessels for near 80 leagues, and by small ones, to the falls of Barra- conda, more than 300 miles from its mouth; the river Grande is its southern boundary, which is navigable by ships to Bulola 72 miles from its entrance; how much higher, by boats, is not exactly known: * the Gambia and high mountains are its eastern, and the islands before-mentioned its western, limit. Few coun tries of equal extent seem better adapted for commerce and for defence; three sides, and the largest part of the fourth, being embraced by the sea and two great rivers, and the remainder guarded by high mountains. Numerous rivers, rivulets, and creeks, dividing, intersecting, and watering its western part, and thus facilitating its communication and commerce, seem to point it out as a most eligible spot for European coloniz ation. To the southward of those continental islands, if I may be allowed the expression, there is a cluster of other islands, run ning in nearly a parallel direction, and separated from them by a channel, generally speaking, about five leagues in breadth: these last are called the Bijuga islands; and form, with the former, one immense harbour, from Cape Roxo to Bulama, of nearly 150 miles in length ; but as I shall speak of the Bijuga islands, as well as of Bulama, under separate and distinct heads, I shall •z ■ * The Abbe Demanet, and the African Pilot, asserts that this river is navigable for 150 leagues, which I am very much inclined to doubt; because the tide, as I was informed when at Bulama, flows no higher than Bulola, only 24 leagues up the river j which at that place, at low water, is only three fathoms deep.