""In Bonny," says our author, "such is the abhorrence in which poisoning and witchcraft are held, that persons suspected of either of these crimes are decapitated without any ceremony." Beheading, indeed, is the usual way of despatching criminals who cannot be sold. Flogging is inflicted for minor offences, and, in some cases, offenders are deprived of a part of their ears, a punishment which is considered ignominious. All trials, continues our author, take place in the Palaver-house. In this building, running round the interior of the walls, are a number of shelves, on which are deposited the skulls of chiefs taken in war. These relics, which are considered as martial trophies, are painted with different colours, and adorned with feathers indicating the rank of the deceased warrior. The person who had the charge of this place of skulls in Bonny pretended, that he knew to what particular chief each skull belonged, and could recount the several battles in which they had fallen, or were captured. Most offences committed in these countries may be compounded for, notwithstanding the declared severity of the laws in some cases: and if the offender be unable to pay the fine imposed upon him, he is sold as a slave. [...] In Bonny the jurisdiction is almost entirely in the hands of the priest."