ON AFRICA. 4f55 nage and charm the Bouska much more adroitly than those who exhibited at Rabat before Riley, although its bite is more deadly, and its strength considerably greater, than that of the El Effah I Animadversions on the Orthography of African Names.

(to the editor of the monthly magazine, inserted may, 1818.)

Sir, ' Bennet's-hill, Feb. 1818.

I SHOULD be much surprised to find that Jackson's account of what he has heard is doubted, if I did not remember that Bruce's account of indeed been extracted ; and when I wished to know how swellings on his neck and other parts could be assumed, he assured me, that though their deadly fangs were out, yet that the poisonous quality of their breath and spittle would cause the death of those they attack ; that after a bite from either of these serpents, no man could exist longer than fifteen minutes : and that there was no remedy for any but those tjoho tvere endowed by the Almighty with power to charm, and to manage them ; and that he and his associates were of that favoured number! The Moors and Arabs call the thick and beautiful serpent El Effah, and the long black and heartheaded one El Bouskah, " I afterwards saw engravings of these two serpents in Jackson s Marocco, which are very correct resemblances. They are said to be very numerous on alid about the south foot of the Atlas mountains and border of the Desert, where these were caught when young, and where they often attack both men and beasts.*'—Vide Riley s Shipwreck and Captivity in the Great Desert, p. 550.

" Disciples of Seedy ben Isa, whose sanctuary is at Fas, and who possess the art of fascinating serpents.

GG 4f