INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

The Kingdom of Yoruba formerly extended from Katanga to Ijębbu, a district on the bank of the Lagos, a few miles distant from the sea. One language is still spoken by the inhabitants of this large country, though it is distinguished by several dialects. The Kakanda Language, on the bank of the Niger, may safely be called a daughter of the Yoruba. The name Katanga is generally put down in charts; though the Yorubans themselves call it Ọyọ́. European Travellers obtained the name Katanga from Haussa People. Yarriba, or Yaruba, is likewise the Haussa pronunciation: Yoruba would be more correct.

EARLY TRADITIONS OF THE YORUBANS.

It is said by the Yorubans, that fifteen persons were sent from a certain region; and that a sixteenth, whose name was Ọkambí (an only child), and who was afterwards made King of Yoruba, volunteered to accompany them. The personage who sent them out presented Ọkambí with a small piece of black cloth, with something tied up in it; besides a fowl, a servant, and a trumpeter. Okinkin was the name of the trumpeter. On opening the gate of this unknown region, they observed a large expanse of water before them, through which they were obliged to wade. As they went on, Okinkin, the trumpeter, reminded Ọkambí of the small piece of cloth, by sounding the trumpet according to the instructions he had previously received from the personage above mentioned. The cloth being opened, a palm-nut, which was deposited in it with some earth, fell into the