Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/301

 the seat of the Hippo Academy has even become a centre of scientific and literary activity.

As a seaport Bona enjoys great advantages. Its roadstead, well sheltered from the west and north-west winds by Cape Garde, was much frequented during

Mediæval times by European mariners, who were protected from oppressive exactions by special conventions. On two occasions, in 1152 and 1535, it even fell into the hands of the Christians, and after its final occupation by the French in