Libya

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Libya hath on the East Nilus, on the West the Atlantique Ocean, 〈◊〉 the North Numidia, and on the South the land of Negroes; the •…untry altogether sandie, barren, and a desert, the inhabitants •…ogether heathenish, and therefore not worthy the conversa•…n of a civill Merchant, or the residence of any commerce.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn. OF LIBYA INTERIOR.

LIBYA INTERIOR is bounded on the North with Mount Atlas, by which parted from Barbary and Cyrenaica; on the East with Libya Marmarica, interposed betwixt it and Egypt, and part of Aethiopia Superior, or the Habassine Empire; on the South with Aethiopia Inferior, and the Land of the Negro's; and on the West with the main Atlantick Ocean.

The reason of the name we have seen before, given to this Country in regard of its contiguousness and resemblance to the other Libya; or else because descended from the children of Lehabim, by which that Country was first planted. For of King Libs, or Queen Libya (the daughter of Epaphus, and Cassiopaea) and other the like fictions of the Greeks, I shall take no notice. Distinguished from the other, by the addition of Interior, as lying more within the main land of Africa, the other being partly a Maritine Country.

Of the nature of the soyle and people we shall speak anon, when we come to take a view of its several parts. Look we now on it as it stood in the time of the Romans: when, though not so well travelled or discovered as in these last times: yet have we more particulars of it, as to the names and situation of the Rivers, Mountains, and chief Towns, then any of our later Writers have presented to us. The Rivers of most note, 1 Salathus, 2 Chusarus, 3 Ophiodus, 4 Noius, 5 Massa, 6 Sobus, 7 Daradus, 8 Stachiris, and 9 Masitholus; all of them paying tribute to the Western or Atlantick Ocean. Mountains of most note, 1 Mandrus, out of which floweth the River Salathus, 2 Sagapola, which gives being to the River Sobus. 3 Ryssadius, from whence Stachiris. 4 the Mountain called Deorum Currus (of which more anon) whence Massitholus, and Mount Capas, out of which Daradas, have their first Originals. Then there are, 5 Mount Vsurgala, and 6 Mount Girgiris, from the first of which the River Bagradas, and from the last that of Cyniphus, do derive their waters; and passing thorow the breaches of Atlas (of which these Mountains seem to be some dismembred l•mbs) cross the whole breadth of the Roman Africk, to make themselves a way to the Mediterranean. Besides these, more within the Land, we finde the famous Rivers of Gir, and Niger: of which the first maketh the two great Lakes of Nuba, and Cheloindas; the second, those as great, or greater called Nigritis, and the Lake of Libya; which makes me wonder by the way, that in a Country so well watered as this seems to be, our Modern Writers should complain of such want of water, as if there were neither Spring nor River, nor Pond, nor Lake, nor any thing to moysten and refresh the earth, but the dews of Heaven, or some pits of salt and brackish water, not worth the tasting. Ptolomy must either be mistaken, which I hardly think; or our late Travellers not so punctual in their observations, which I rather credit: or else the Rivers which were here in the time of my Author, In his arenarum vastitatibus disperduntur, must be dried up and swallowed in these sandy Desarts, as Maginus telleth us; or finally there hath hapned some later conflagration then that of Phaeton, to which the want of water may be better attributed, then it was to his. Of which thus the Poet,

Hinc facta est Libye, raptis humoribus aestuArida.—Which Geo. Sandys thus rendreth.A Sandie Desart Lybia then became,Her full veins emptied by the thirstie flame.

Places of note and name in those elder times, 1 Salathes, on the River so named, 2 Bagaxi, 3 Jarzitha, and 4 Babiba, are honoured with the name of Cities. 5 Garama, 6 Gira, and Nigira, the Metropoles of their several Nations. Then there were two Havens of some good esteem, the one called Magnus Portus, the other Portus Perphosius; besides 43 other Towns and Cities (twelve of these on the banks of the River Niger:) whose names and situation do occur in Ptolomy; which shews the Country not to be so unhabitable and void of people, as was pretended by some other (but less diligent) Writers.

Nations of most note in it in the former times, were the Getuli, on the back of Mauritania, a resolute and unconquered People, Genus insuperabile bello, as we finde in Virgil: 2 the Garamantes, dwelling South of Cyrenaica▪ and giving name to a large and spacious territory, called Vallis Garamantica; supposed to be the most remote Nation towards the South, as the Indians were towards the East, whence we have ultra Garamantas & Judos, in another Poet: 3 the Pyrrhaei, an Aethiopick Nation, on the South of the River Gir: 4 the Nigritae, originally Aethiopians also, inhabiting on the North of the River Niger; 5 the Odranguli, of the same original extraction, possessing the Country between the Mountains Capha, and Thala; 6 the Perorsori, dwelling neer the hills called Deorum Currus; 7 the Meinaci, at the foot of Mount Thala; 8 the Nabae on the West of Vallis Garamantica. 9 the Derbici, dwelling on the west of the hill Aranga. And 10 the Psylli, placed by Ptolomie amongst the Inhabitants of Cyrene, but so neer the borders of this Country, and so far from the civilities of those Nations which conversed either with Rome or Carthage, that they may more properly be thought to belong to this. Of a nature so venemous, that they could poyson a Snake. Insomuch, that when their wives were delivered, they would throw their children amongst a bed of Serpents, supposing that childe to be born of an adulterate bed, the very smell of whose body would not drive away a whole brood of the like poysonous vermine. Others there were of less note, which that Author calleth Minores Gentes; many in number, of small fame, and therefore not material to be here inserted; those of most note, the Africerones (whom some Authors call the Gampsaphantes) honoured with the Attribute of Gens Magna, the greatest as it seems of those lesser Nations. None of them of much note in the way of story, except they were these Libyans which are so famoused in Herodotus for an expedition they made against the South winde. For when this wind blowing abroad the hills and desarts of sand, had dried up those many rills and waters they had among them, they to revenge this injury, by common consent armed themselves, and went to fight against him. But they took not the South winde unprepared. For he mustered up his forces, incountred them with such a brave volley of sand, that he overwhelmed and slew them all. A better friend was the North wind to the Citizens of Rhegium, in Italy, and better was he rewarded for it; for having scattered a mighty fleet, which Dionysius prepared against them, he was by the common-councell, made free of their City. That part of Caesars war which was managed here, we shall hereafter meet with on another occasion.

Thus having took a view of the state of this Country, as it stood of old; we will next look upon it in its present condition; as comprehending the whole Provinces of 1 Biledulgerid, or Numidia. 2 Libya Deserta, or Sarra; and 3. a great part of that Country which is now called Terra Nigritarum. But because the greatest part of this last Country is to come under another Accompt, we will here only take the two first into consideration.

1. NVMIDIA.

1. NVMIDIA, is bounded on the East with Egypt, on the West with the Atlantick Ocean; on the North with Mount Atlas which parteth it from Barbarie, and Cyrene; on the South with Libya Deserta.

It was thus first called by John Leo, an African Writer, to whose description of all Africk we are much beholding; because of that resemblance which the People of it have to the old Numidians, which is after the custom of the Nomades, living without houses, under their Wagons, and Carts, as Lucan testifieth of them, thus

Nulla domus, plaustris habitant, migrare per arvaMos, atque errantes circumvectare Penates. They dwell in wains, not houses; and do strayThrough fields, and with them lead their gods each way.

And worthily may they owe their names to them, from whom they borrow so much of their nature: for the people to this day spend their lives in hunting, and stay but three or four dayes in a place, as long as the grass will serve the Camels. This is the cause why this Countrey is so ill peopled, the Towns so small in themselves, and so remote from others. An example hereof is Teffet a great City in their esteem, which yet containeth but 400 housholds, and hath no neighbours within 300 miles of it.

The Country aboundeth with Dates, whence it is called Dactylorum regio, and in the Arabick Biledulgerid, which signifieth also a Date-region. These Dates are (to speak properly) the fruit of the Palm Trees, usually growing in hot Countries, of which some are male, some female; the first bringing forth only flowers; the other fruit: and yet the male so beneficial to the increase of the Dates, that unless a flowred bough of the male be ingrafted into the female, the Dates never prove good, in case they bear any Dates at all, as before was noted. This fruit is the chief diet of the people: but this sweet meat hath sowre sawce; for it commonly rotteth their teeth betimes. As for the stones of these Dates, they feed their Goats with them, whereby they grow fat, and yield store of milk. The Aire hereof, of so sound a nature, that if a man be troubled with the French disease, he shall there, without any course of Physick, finde a present remedy.

The natural Inhabitants of this Country, are said to be base and vile people, theeves, murderers, treacherous, and ignorant of all things; feeding most commonly on Dates, Barley, and Carrion; accounting Bread a Diet for their Festival Dayes. But the Arabians who are intermingled with them, in most part of the Country, affirmed to be (comparatively with the Natives) ingenuous, liberal, and civil. The Garments of these Numidians, of the coursest cloth, so short that they cover not half the body: the richer sort, distinguished by a Jacket of blew Cotton with wide sleeves. Their Steeds are Camels, which they ride on without stirrop, or so much as a saddle; a leather, thrust thorow on hole made in the nose of the Camel, serves them for a bridle; and to save the charge of Spurs they make use of a goad. Their Religion, Mahometism, to which perverted (Christianity having once had some footing here) in the year 710. the Azanaghi and other people of those parts then subdued by the Saracens: who held them for a Nation of so little reckoning, that no man of accompt amongst them would descend so low, as to be their Prince, but left them to be ruled as in former times, by the Chiefs or Heads of their several Clans!

The chief River which is left, hath the name of Dara, and possibly enough may be the Daradus of Ptolomy: the rest which are mentioned in that Author, rising out of Mount Atlas, and falling headily this way, finding these barren wildernesses to afford them the readiest Channels, are trained along by the allurements of the Sands, and are either swallowed up in great Lakes; or being too liberal to the thirsty sands in their way to the Sea, die at the last for thirst in the midst of the Desarts.

The Principal of their Provinces (if capable of a distinction into better and worse.) 1 DARA; more cultivated then the rest, because of the River running thorow it, whence it hath its name: 250 miles in length, indifferently fruitful, where the River doth overflow and water it; and of so different a nature from all the rest, that here the Country people have some scattered Villages, the better sort their several Castles. 2 PESCARA, so called from the chief Town of it, exceedingly infested with Scorpions; the sting whereof is present death. 3 FIGHIG, so called from the chief Town also, inhabited by an industrious and witty People (in respect of the rest) some of which betake themselves to Merchandise; some to the studie of their Law, which they studie at Fesse, and grow rich upon it. 4 TEGORARIN, a large Region, and well inhabited, better then any except Dara; as having in it 50 Castles or Gentlemens houses, and 100 Villages. The people wealthy in regard of the gread trade which they drive with the Negroes; and pretty good husbands in manuring their land on which they are forced to lay much soil; and will therefore let some of it Rent-free to strangers, reserving only the dung of themselves and their cattell. 5 BILEDVLGERID, specially so called, abundantly fruitful in Dates, whence it had the name, but destitute of Corn by reason of the extream dryness of the soyle; and yet hath in it many Towns of good note among them. Of less note, 6 Tesset, 7 Segelmesse, 8 Zeb, 9 Tebelbeti, and 10 Fessen, so called from the chiefest of their Towns and Villages.

Towns of most note both now and in former times, besides those spoken of before, 1 Timugedit, in the Province of Dara, the birth-place of Mahomet Ben Amet and his three sons, the founders of the Xeriffian Empire. 2 Tafilete, in the said Province, to which place Mahomet the second of these sons and first King of Morocco of that Family, confined his eldest brother Amet, having took him prisoner, Anno 1544. 3. Teffet, a great Town of 400 houses, but so poorly neighboured that there is no other inhabited place within 300 miles of it; but of that before. 4 Techort, the inhabitants whereof are very courteous to strangers, whom they entertain at free-cost; and choose rather to marry their daughters to them then to any of the Natives. 5 Eboacah, the most Eastern Town in all this Country, distant about 100 miles from the borders of Egypt. 7 Debris, one of the chief Cities of the Garamantes, of great renown in former times for Wells or Fountain of the Sun, the waters whereof being lukewarm at the Sun-rising, cooled more and more till noon, was then very cold, and so continued untill midnight; afterwards by degrees growing hotter and hotter, as if it had a natural Antipathy with the Sun, hottest when that was furthest off; and cold when neerest. 8 Masucha, seated on a Rock, garrisoned by Jugurth for a place of refuge, but taken by Marius, in the prosecution of that War. 8 Capsa, the chief City of all this tract, said to be built by Hercules; but questionless of very great strength, anguibus arenisque vallata, made inaccessible (saith the Historian) by the thick Sands and multitudes of Serpents which were harboured in them; but easily forced by Marius in his Wars with Jugurth, and utterly destroyed by Caesar in his war against Juba.

It seems by this, that those people neighbouring Mount Atlas were much at the disposal of the Kings of Mauritania in the times foregoing; and so they have been also in these latter times! For though neglected by the Romans, who thought it an high point of wisdom not to extend their Empire beyond that Mountain; yet the Saracens had not long possessed themselves of those parts of Barbary, which was in the year 698; but within twelve yeers (Anno 710.) they subdued this Country, and planted their Religion in it, though not themselves. Nor was Amet, the first Xeriffe of Morocco warm in that estate, when he thought it best for him to secure himself in it by the conquest of this: to whose successors, the chiefes of the Tribes hereof render some acknowledgements.

2. LIBYA DESEETA.

2. LIBYA DESERTA, is bounded on the north with Numidia, or Biledulgerid, to which contiguous; on the East with Nubia a Kingdom and Province of the Land of Negroes; on the South with the land of Negroes wholly, and on the West with Gualata, another Province of these Negroes interposed betwixt it and the Atlantick.

The reason of the name of Libya we have had before. To which Deserta was added upon very good reasons, as well to difference it from the other Libya, a Province of Egypt, as to express the barren and sandy condition of it: in which respect by the Arabians called Sarra, signifying in their language a rude and inhabitable Desart, as this Country is. So truly such, that men may travell in it eight days together without finding water, or seeing any tree, and no grass at all. The water which they have is drawn out of pits, exceeding brackish, and many times those pits so covered with the Sands that men die for thirst: the Merchants therefore carrying their water with them on the backs of Camels; which if it fail, they kill their Camels, and drink a water which they wring out of their guts. And yet as dangerous and uncomfortable as these Desarts be, they are very much travelled by the Merchants of Fesse and Tremesen, trading to Agades and Tombatum, in the land of Negroes.

The People differ not much from the Numidians in shape or qualities; but if a worse of quality, it must be the Lybian. They did once worship a God called Psaphon, who when he lived, taught divers Birds which he caught, and then set at liberty, to say these words, viz. Psaphon is a great god: which the simple people hearing, and admiring at it, afforded him Divine honours. Converted at last to the Christian Faith, they remained a while in the profession of the Gospel: exterminated by the Saracens about the year 710. who having added Numidia or Biledulgerid to their former conquests, planted their Superstitions in this Country also.

This Country is divided (as others into Provinces) into five great Desarts, to which those of less note are to be referred.

1. ZANHAGA, beginning at the borders of Gualata (interposed betwixt it and the Atlantick Ocean) and extending Eastward to the Salt-pits of Tegaza; having on the South Gualata and Tombutum in the land of Negroes, so destitute of water, that there is one pit only at the end of each hundred mile, brakish and unwholsom; and in the Desarts of Azaoad and Araoan which are parts of this, but one in an 150 or 200 miles riding.

2. ZVENZIGA, extended from the Salt-pits of Tegaza Eastward, to the Desart of Targa; bounded on the North with Segelmesse and Tebelbeti, Numidian Provinces; and on the South with the Desarts of Ghir and Guber. So void of water, (especially in that part thereof which is called Gogden) that in nine dayes travell there is not so much as one drop to be seen, but what they carry on their Camels.

3. TARGA, extended Eastward to the Desart of Ighidi; and reaching from Tegorarin in the North, to the Desart of Agader in the South: the best conditioned part of all this Countrey, well watered, of a temperate A•re, and a soyl reasonably fruitfull. In length from North to the South 300 miles; and liberally stored with Manna, which they gather into little vessels, and carry to Agadez to sell. Mingled in water or with pottage it is very cooling, and drank of in their Feasts, as a speciall dainty.

4. LEMPTA, extendeth from the Deserts of Ighidi, unto that of Bordea.

5. BORDEA, which reacheth to the borders of Nubia. Of these two there is little to be said in several, but that this last was discovered lately by one Hamar, a guide to a Caravan of Merchants; who blinded with the sands wandred out of his way, and causing sand to be given him at every twenty miles end, found by the smell at last that they begun to draw nigh some inhabited Place, and told them of it 40 miles before they came to it.

Cities of note we hope for none, where we finde no water. Of such as go for Cities here, the most considerable, 1 Tegaza, rich in veins of Salt, resembling Marble, which the Inhabitants, being 20 days distant from any habitation, and consequently many times in danger to die for famine, exchange for Victuals with the Merchants of Tombutum, who come hither for it: Much troubled with the South winds, which doth so drive the sands upon them, that it causeth many of them to loose their sight. 2. Huaden, or Hoden, a known resting place, and a great refreshment to the Merchant in the midst of these Desarts. 3 Guargata on the brink of a Lake, fed by a River of hot water; affirmed to be a Town of elegant building, and inhabited by a wealthy People, 4 Toberaum, of little note, but that it serveth for a Stage or baiting place to the wearie Traveller. Of which kinde there are said to be others at the extremities or ends of each several Desarts; the Havens of such men as sail in these sandy Seas; but not else observable.

Nor is there much, if any thing, observable of them in the way of story, but that not looked after by any of the great Conquerours, either Greeks or Romans, much of the Country was possessed by Arabian Colonies (men fit enough to plant in such barbarous Nations) at such time as the Saracens planted their Religion here. The Government of the Country since, as it was before, by the Chiefs of their several Clans, or Families, who as they know no Law themselves, so do the People shew as much ignorance of it in their lives and actions: differing but little from brute Beasts, more then shape and speech.

And so much for LIBYA INTERIOR.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

LIBYA INTERIOR, which doth comprehend

• ZAHARA, or SAARA, with its Parts or Provinces of
  • ZANHAGA, — Tegassa.
  • ZUENZIGA,
    • Zuenziga,
    • Ziz,
    • Ghir.
  • TARGA,
    • Hair.
    • Targa.
  • LEMPTA,
    • Lempta,
    • Dighir,
    • Agades.
  • BERDOA, — Berdoa.
  • BORNO,
    • Borno,
    • Kaugha,
    • Amasen.
  • GAOGA, — Gaoga.
• The Land of NEGROES, with its Parts or Kingdoms, as they lie
  • On this side the Niger, as
    • GUALATA,
      • Guadia,
      • Angra,
      • Arguya.
    • GENEHOA,
      • Genehoa,
      • Walade,
      • Ganar,
      • Samba-Lamech.
    • TOMBUT,
      • Tombut,
      • Salla,
      • Berissa,
      • Guegneve.
    • AGADES,
      • Agades,
      • Deghir,
      • Mura.
    • CANUM,
      • Cano,
      • Tassana,
      • Germa.
    • CASSENA,
      • Cassena,
      • Nebrina,
      • Tirca.
    • GANGARA,
      • Gangara,
      • Semegonda.
  • Between the Branches, and about the Mouth of the Niger, as
    • JALOFFES,
      • Emboule,
      • Lambaya,
      • Yagoa,
      • Bersola,
      • Nabare,
      • Besu,
      • Catcheo,
      • Boyla,
      • Codan,
      • Julieto.
    • GAMBIA,
    • CASANGUAS,
    • BIAFARES,
      • Emboule,
      • Lambaya,
      • Yagoa,
      • Bersola,
      • Nabare,
      • Besu,
      • Catcheo,
      • Boyla,
      • Codan,
      • Julieto.
  • Beyond the Niger, as
    • MELLI, — Melli.
    • SOUSOS, — Beria.
    • MANDINGUE,
      • Mandinga,
      • Tocrur.
    • GAGO,
      • Gago,
      • Dau.
    • GUBER, — Guber.
    • ZEGZEG,
      • Zegzeg,
      • Channara.
    • ZANFARA,
      • Zanfara,
      • Reghebil.
• GUINY, and regarding the Atlantick Ocean; with its Parts or Kingdoms of
  • MELEGUETTE, with its chief Places, as they lie
    • On the Sea, as
      • Bugos,
      • Timaa,
      • Bagga,
      • Serbora,
      • Masfah,
      • Faly Hamaya,
      • Samwyn,
      • Crou, and Growaly.
    • Within Land, as
      • Bolombere,
      • Quinamora.
  • GUINY, particularly so called, or the IVORY or GOLD Coast, with its chief places, as they lie
    • On the Sea, as
      • Tabo,
      • Taboe Petoy,
      • Wetoe,
      • Moure,
      • Nassau,
      • St. George del Mina,
      • Cormantir,
      • Berku,
      • Pompena.
    • Within Land, as
      • Laboure,
      • Uxoo,
      • Quinimburm,
      • Acanes Grandes,
      • Dauma,
      • A•••raus,
      • Adios,
      • St. Eaurenco,
      • Zabandu,
      • Buma,
      • Roggis,
      • Jamo.
  • BENIN, with its chief Places, as they lie
    • On the Sea, as
      • Popou,
      • Jackeyn,
      • Loebo,
      • Fosko,
      • Borli,
      • Bodi, and Cesge.
    • Within Land, as
      • B•din,
      • O•verre,
      • A•ovon, and Curamo.

ZAHARA, That is, DESART.

IN our Africa or Libya Interior, we have placed ZAHARA, the Country of the NEGROES and GƲINY. Zahara is an Arab name, and signifies Desart; and this name is taken from the quality of the Country: so the Arabs divide the Land into three sorts, Cehel, Zahara, and Azgar. Cehel hath only Sand, very small, without any Green. Zahara hath Gravel and little Stones, and but little Green. Azgar hath some Marshes, some Grass and little Shrubs. The Country is generally hot and dry; it hath almost no Water, except some few Wells, and those Salt: if there fall great Rains the Land is much better. But besides the leanness of the Soil there is sometimes such vast quantities of Grasshoppers, that they eat and ruin all that the Earth produceth. Through this Country the Caravans pass, which adds no small advantage unto it. It is so barren and ill inhabited, that a Man may travel above a week together without seeing a Tree, or scarce any Grass; as also without finding any Water, and that Water they have is drawn out of Pits, which oft-times is covered with Sand, and tastes very brackish, so that many times Men die for want of it; which knowing the defect, those Merchants which travel in this Country, carry their Water, as well as other Provisions, on their Camels backs.

The People are Bereberes and Africans, likewise Abexes and Arabs; of which the first are seated in the most moist places, the others wander after their Flocks: Some have their Cheques or Lords, almost all follow Mahometism. Though the Air be very hot, yet it is so healthful, that from Barbary, the Country of the Negroes, and other places, Sick people come as to their last remedy.

This great Desart is divided into seven principal Parts, of which the three Western are, Zanhaga, Zuenziga, and Targa or Hair: The four towards the East are, Lempta, Berdoa, Gaoga, and Borno. Almost every part reaches the full breadth, and all together make but the length of this Desart.

ZANHAGA is most Westward, and touches the Ocean; with this Desart are comprehended those of Azaoad and Tegazza. This last yields Salt like Marble, which is taken from a Rock, and carried 2, 3, 4 or 500 Leagues into the Land of the Negroes, and serves in some places for Money, and for this they buy their Victuals. These People use it every moment, letting it melt in their Mouths, to hinder their Gums from corrupting; which often happens, either because of the heat, which continually reigns; or because their food corrupts in less than nothing. In the Desart of Azaoad, and in the way from Dara to Tombut, are to be seen two Tombs, the one of a rich Merchant, and the other of a Carrier: The Merchants Water being all gone, and ready to die for want, buys of the Carrier (who had not overmuch) one Glass full, for which he gave him 10000 Ducats; a poor little for so great a Sum: but what would not a man do in necessity? yet at the end the Carrier repented his bargain, for both the one and the other died for want of Water before they could get out of the Desart. Those near the Sea have some Trade with the Portugals; with whom they change their Gold of Tibar for divers Wares.

The Country or Desert of ZƲENZIGA, under the name of which passes that of Cogdenu, and is more troublesom and dangerous than that of Zanbaga, as also more destitute of Water; and yet it hath many People, among others certain Arabs, feared by all their Neighbours, and particularly by the Negroes, whom those Arabs take and sell for Slaves in the Kingdom of Fez: But in revenge, when they fall into the hands of the Negroes they are cut into so many pieces, that the biggest that remains are their two Ears. Its chief places are Zuenziga and Ghir.

The Desart of TARGA or HAIR (some esteem this last the name of the Principal Place, and the other of the People) is not so dry nor troublesom as the two others. There are found many Herbs for Pastures, the Soil indifferent fruitful, and of a temperate Air. They have some Wells, whose Water is good. In the Morning there falls store of Manna, which they find fresh and healthful, of which they transport quantity to Agades, and other places. Its chief places are Targa and Hair.

LEMPTA is likewise esteemed the name of a People, and its principal place also Digir. This Desart is dry, and more troublesom than that of Targa; and its People haughty, brutish, and dangerous to them that cross it, going from Constantina, Tunis, and Tripoli, to the Negroes.

BERDOA is no less Desart than that of Lempta; but it hath Dates about those places, which are inhabited, and which are well furnished with Water. They count three little walled Cities and some Towns, the chief bearing the name of the part.

BORNO and GOAGA are scarce Desart. They have each their King. He of Borno is of the Race of Berdoa, and his People part Black, part White, are civil, and drive some Trade. But they have likewise their Wives and Children in common, and scarce any Religion, as formerly the Garamantes. The King of Goaga descended from a Black Slave, who having seized on the estate of his Master, after having bought some Horses, ran over the Neighbouring Countries, traded for some time for Slaves against Horses, whom he made mount on his, and became Master of this Estate more than 200 years ago. Part of his People are Christians, as those of Egypt; but ignorant, and almost all Shepherds. The chief places in Borno are, Amasen, Kaugha, and Borno; the two former seated in the Lake Semegda: The chief place of Goaga bears the same.

The Land of NEGROES.

THE Negroes are People about the River Niger, which hath taken its Name from these People; and these People from their Colour, and not the People from the River, as some have believed. They are divided into many Parties or Kingdoms, of which some are on this side, others beyond, and others between the Branches of the Niger. We have placed on this side the Kingdoms of Gualata, Genehoa, Tombut, Agades, Canum, Cassena, and Gangara. Beyond, those of Melly, Sousos, Mandingue, Gago, Guber, Zegzeg, and Zanfara.

Between the Branches, and about the Mouths of Niger, are a great number of People, Kingdoms, and Signiories. The principal People are the Jaloffes, between the Branches of Sanega and Gambea; the Casanguas, between St. Domingo and Rio Grande; and the Biafares beyond and along Rio Grande. The most famous Kingdoms of the Jaloffes are those of Sanega and Gambea: Among the Casanguas, those of Casamanse and Jarem; among the Biafares those of Guinala, Biguba, and Besegue. All these Kingdoms and People, and likewise the others which are about the Niger, are so little known, that some think it not worth the pains to set down their Names. We will speak only of what shall seem most remarkable.

GƲALATA is one of the least, having in it not above three Towns, of which Guadia is the chief; besides some few Villages. Fruitful in Dates: they are coal black; live in a mean condition, and without any form of Government or settled Laws. They have no Gentry among them, but to their power are civil to Strangers.

GENEHOA is rich in Grain, Cotton, Cattle, and Gold; for which they have a good trade with the Merchants of Barbary; and by reason of the overflowing of the Niger, the Soil is very fertil; yet have they not many Towns: that most known is where their King resideth, who is a Vassal to the King of Tombut, beareth the name of the Kingdom. And here it is that their Priests, Doctors, and Merchants inhabit. The Priests and Doctors wear white Apparel, and for distinction all the rest wear black or blew Cotton. Its other places are, Samba-Lamech, Ganar, and Walade.

TOMBƲT hath quantity of Gold, is well watered with the Niger, which makes it very fruitful, especially in Grains, and it hath good Pastures, which feed many Cattle. The chief place gives name to the Kingdom, scituate on a branch of the River Niger: It is the residence of their King, who hath a fair Palace, built of Lime and Stones, all the rest of the Houses (except one fair Church) is made of Mud, and Thatched. It is well filled with Merchants, who drive a good Trade betwixt this and Fez. This King, within this 100 and odd years, hath subdued and made tributary a great part of the Negroes, is magnificent in his Court, of the Mahometan Religion, keeps ordinarily 3000 Horse for his Guard, and hath marched against the Xeriffs of Morocco with 300000 Men. Its other places are Salla and Berissa, also seated on the Niger, Gugneve, Carogoli, and Cassali.

AGADES hath great quantities of Cattle, and are much given to grasing and looking to them, making it their livelyhood, using the Ancients custom of Tents, and removing up and down for the conveniency of fresh and good Pasture for their Cattle; and among their Moveable Towns their chief bears the name of the Kingdom in which the King resideth, who is Tributary to him of Tombut. Its other places are, Deghir, Mayma, and Mura, seated on a Lake of the Niger.

CANƲM, besides its Cattle, hath Grain, Rice, Cotton, and Fruits; hath Springs of Running-water, as also a good River, which issueth forth many little Rivulets; it is well stored with Wood, is very populous; and hath several Towns; the chief being Cano, wherein is the Palace of their King, who is also Tributary to him of Tombut. This Town is environed with a Wall of Chalk-Stone, of which most of the Houses are built, and well frequented by Merchants. Its next chief place is Germa.

CASSENA is craggy, barren, and very Woody; yet it yields some store of Barley and Millet. The People live very meanly, wanting many things that the other Kingdoms have plenty of; and their Houses and Towns are as poor, among which Cassena is the chief, next Nebrina and Tirca.

GANGARA is rich in Gold, hath not many Towns, the chief whereof bears the name of the Kingdom, in which the King resideth, being also the habitation of many Merchants; and its King is very absolute, and hath a great Revenue. His Militia is in some esteem among the Negroes, being observed to keep in continual pay 500 Horsmen, and 7000 Men which use Bows and Scimitars. The next is Semegonda, seated on a branch of the Niger.

MELLY is a spacious and fruitful Kingdom, seated all along on a branch of the River Niger, which makes it very fertil in Corn, Cattle, Dates, Fruits, Cotton, Wool, &c. And by reason of the conveniency of the said River, hath a good Trade for their Commodities with other Countries. Its chief Town takes its name from the Kingdom, containing about 6000 Houses, indifferently well built, but unwalled. It is the Seat-Royal of their King; they have likewise here a famous Colledge, and many Temples, which are well furnished with Priests and Doctors, who read the Mahometan Law, and under whom the youth of this Kingdom, as also those of Tombut, and other parts of the Negroes are educated. These People are esteemed the most ingenious, the wittiest, and most civil to Strangers of all the Negroes. Their King is also tributary to the King of Tombut.

SOƲSOS hath divers petty Kingdoms, and all subject to their Concho or Emperour; among which, that of Bena hath seven others under it. Its quarter is Mountainous, covered with Trees, and well watered with Rivers. It hath some Towns; its chief takes its name from the Kingdom, and yields Corn, Cattle, Fruits, &c.

MANDINGƲE begins at the River Gambea, and reaches near 200 Leagues up in the Land: They have quantity of Gold, good Ships of War, and Cavalry; and there are divers Kings or Lords in Guiny, which are his Tributaries.

GAGO hath store of Gold, Corn, Rice, Fruits, and Cottle, but no Salt besides what is brought from other places, and which is ordinarily as dear as Gold. The People are idle and ignorant, but bear so great a respect to their King, that how great soever they be, they speak to him on their knees; and when they are faulty, the King seises on their Goods, and sells their Wives and Children to Strangers, who remain Slaves all their lives. But besides these, there is here (as well as in other parts of the Negroes) great Traffick for Slaves, either of certain Neighbouring people, which those of the Country can take, or of the Malefactors of the Country, or of the Children whom the Fathers or Mothers sell, when they are in need, or when they please them not: And these Slaves are bought by many people of Africa; but more by the Europeans, who transport them into the Isles of St. Thomas, Cape Verd, the Canaries, Brasil; and the English, to the Barbadoes, Carolina, Jamaica, and elsewhere for Slaves. They have many Towns and Villages, among others that of Gago is the chief, and is the residence of their King; as also of many Merchants, and containing about 4 or 5000 Houses, but unwalled.

GƲBER is well fenced with Mountains, doth produce Rice and Pulse; and above all, have exceeding great flocks of Cattle, from which they get their livelyhood. This Kingdom is very populous, and well stored with Towns, its chief bearing the name of the Kingdom, which is well inhabited by Merchants, and containing about 6000 Houses; being also the residence of their King. The People are ingenious, good Artificers, and make several rich Manufactures.

ZEGZEG and ZANFARA are barren, the People idle and ignorant, have some Towns, whose chief are so called; the Land yields, Corn, Grass, &c. and feeds great quantities of Horses.

The Country of the Negroes is esteemed as fertil as those watered with the Nile. It bears twice a year, and each time sufficient to furnish them with Corn for five whole years; which makes them not sow their Lands, but when they judge they shall have need. They keep their Corn in Pits and Ditches under Ground, which they call Matamores.

GƲINEA, or GƲINY.

GƲINY is the Coast of Africa, which is found between the River Niger and the Equinoctial Line. Some give it a larger extent, some a less: There are they who begin it on this side the Niger, and continue it unto the Kingdom of Congo. We have comprehended in the Country of the Negroes that which is about the Niger; and in the Lower Aethiopia, that which is beyond the Gulph of St. Thomas: And so Guiny will remain between the Cape of Serre Leon, which will bound it on the West, and against the Negroes, to the River of Camarones, which is on the East, will separate it from the Lower Aethiopia. This Coast right from East to West is 7 or 800 Leagues long, and not above 100 or 150 in breadth. The form being much more long than broad, we will divide it into three principal parts, which we will call MELEGƲETE, GƲINY, and BENIM: This the most Eastward, the first the most West, and the other in the middle; yet each of these three parts separated make the breadth, and the three together the length of this Guiny. After this Guiny we will speak something of what is on this side towards the Niger, and of some Isles which are beyond, as St. Thomas, &c. Under the name of MELEGƲETE, we comprehend that which is between the Capes of Serre Leon and of Palmes: Under the particular name of GƲINY we esteem not only that which is between the Capes of Palmes and of Three Points; but likewise that which advances to the River Volta, and beyond, where the Kingdom of Benim begins, and ends not till the River Camerones. Of these 3 parts Guiny is the largest and best known, communicating its name to the rest. Its Coast, which is between the Capes of Palmes and that of Three Points, is called the Coast of Ivory; that which is beyond the Cape of Three Points, the Coast of Gold: for the abundance of Gold and Ivory found in the one and the other.

The Coast of IVORY is very commodious, and well inhabited. The English, French, Hollanders, and Hanse-Towns trade likewise in divers Ports on the same Coast; fetching thence, Gold, Ivory, Hides, Wax, Amber-greece, &c. On the Gold Coast are divers Kingdoms or Realms, as of SABOƲ, FOETƲ, ACCARA, and others. The Kingdom of SABOƲ is esteemed the most powerful of all, and that his Estates extend sixty and odd Leagues on the Coast, and near 200 up in the Land. In 1482 the Portugals built on the Coast of FOETƲ the Fort of St. George de la Mina, and long time after the Hollanders that of Nassau, adjoyning to the Town of Moure, on the Coast of Sabou; the one and the other to maintain their Traffick. Its other places, and which are within Land are, Labore, Ʋxoo, and Quinimburm.

MELEGƲETE took its name from the abundance of Meleguete, here gathered of divers sorts: It is a Spice in form like French Wheat; some of a taste as strong and biting as Pepper: from which the Portugals receive great gain, but the English, French, and Hollanders bring it. The Portugals call it Pimienta-del-Rabo; the Italians, Pepe della Coda; Tail Pepper, that is, Long Pepper. Of their Palm Trees they make Wine as strong as the best of ours: They have likewise, Gold, Ivory, Cotton, &c. Its chief place is Bugos, on the Cape of Sierre Leonne.

The Kingdom of BENIM hath more than 250 Leagues of the Coast; Cape Formoso dividing it into two parts: That which is on the West forms a Gulph, into the middle of which the River Benim disburthens it self; and more to the West that of Lagoa: That which is on the East extends it self on a right line, where the Rio Real de Calabari, and the Rio del Rey, disburthen themselves near to that of Camarones, which ends the Estate towards the East. This last part is more healthful than that of the particular Guiny, the Inhabitants living 100 years and more. The Land produces the same Fruits, and feeds the same Beasts with Guiny, and its People are more courteous to Strangers. Their principal City, so called, is esteemed the greatest and best built of any, either in Guiny or the Land of the Negroes. Its King is powerful, and very loving to his Subjects; they are all much addicted to Women, the King being said to keep about 5 or 600 Wives, with all which, twice a year he goeth out in great pomp, as well for Recreation, as to shew them to his Subjects; who according to their abilities do exceed; Those of the gentile or better sort keeping 20, 30, 40; others 50, 60, or 70: and those of the poorest rank 5, 10, or 12. Their Custom both for Men and Women, till they are married, is to go naked, and after their cloathing is only a Cloth, which is tied about their Middles, and hangs down to their knees. Its other chief places are, Ouwerre, Focko, Boni, and Bodi.

The Soil of Guiny is generally fertil, the most part bearing twice a year, because they have two Summers and two Winters. They oall it Winter when the Sun passes their Zenith, and that the Rains are continual. All the whole Country is very fertil, abounding in Corn, Rice, Millet, and in many sorts of Meleguete; in Fruits, as Oranges, Citrons, Lemmons, Pomegranates, Dates, &c. Also in Gold, both in Sand and in Ingots, in Ivory or Elephants Teeth in great abundance, in Wax, Hides, Cotton, Amber-greece; they extract Wine and Oyl from their Palm-Trees; and of this Oyl, and the Ashes of the Palm-Tree, they make excellent Soap. They have many Sugar-Canes, which are scarce at all Husbanded: They have Brasil-Wood, better then that which cometh from Brasil: they have abundance of Wood, proper to build and Mast Ships; and Pearls, which they find in Oysters, towards the River Des Ostros, that is, of Oysters; and of St. Anne, between the Branches of the Niger. And for these good Commodities in way of Barter, they truck or take course Cloth, both Linnen and Wollen; Red Caps, Frize Mantles and Gowns; Leather Baggs, Sheep-skin Gloves; Guns, Swords, Daggers, Belts, Knives, Hammers, Axheads, Salt, Great Pins, little pieces of Iron, which they convert to several uses; Lavers and great Dutch Kettles with two handles. Basons of several sizes, Platters, Broad Pans, Posnets, Pots, &c. made for the most part of Capper, which are sometimes Tinned within. Some of which Ʋtensils are made of Tinn, and others of Earths, which are here desired: Also Looking-Glasses Beads, Corals and Copper, Brass and Tinn Rings, which they wear about them for their adornment. Hors-tails which they use to keep away the Flies which annoy them, as also when they Dance. And lastly, certain Shels which pass instead of Money; having here, and in many other Countries, no current Money of Metal, as the Europeans have; but make use of those Shells, which they hang in bundles upon strings; for which they buy in their Markets such things as they want.

Among their Beasts they have Elephants, which are said to be the biggest of all four footed Beasts: Of nature they are very gentle, docile, and tractable; they live to a great age, seldom dying till the age of 150 years. They are very serviceable, both in War and Peace, and as profitable by reason of their Tusks. It is said, That when the Male hath once seasoned the Female, he never after toucheth her. Next the Elephants may be reckoned the Musk-Cats, which with Springs they take in the Woods, when they are young, and keep them in Hutches, and take from them the Musk, which they keep in Glasses or Pots, and so vend it: And these Cats they vend to the English and other Nations at good rates. Then their Apes, Monkeys and Baboons, which are strong and lusty being taken and brought to it young, serve like men: They send them to fetch Water at the River, make them to turn meat at the Fire, serve at Table to give Drink; but they must be very watchful, otherwise they will do mischief, and eat the meat themselves; and these are much beloved by their Women, doing the duty of Men, which they are as desirous of themselves, and hating Men. Again, there are some of these Monkeys or Apes, which love Men and hate Women. They have variety of Birds, among which, they have several sorts of Parrots which are brought to talk. Their Fruits are excellent, as Oranges, Lemmons, Citrons, Pomegranates, Dates, Annanas or Pynes, which for smell and taste, resembleth all Fruits. Trennuelis, a Fruit so delicate and delicious that 'tis thought it was the Fruit in Paradise which was forbidden Adam and Eve to eat of. Iniamus, Battatas, Bachonens, the Palm-Tree, and above all here is a Tree called the Oyster Tree, by reason of its bearing Oysters thrice every year; a thing, if report may be credited, is true; and if true, very strange.

The Inhabitants, especially before the coming of the Portugals, were rude and barbarous, living without the knowledge of a God, Law, Religion, or Government, very disingenious, and not caring for Arts or Letters. They are much addicted to Theft, and take it for an honor, if they can cheat or steal any thing, (though not considerable) from a White Man. They are very perfidious, Lyars, given to Luxury; in matter of Justice, they are indifferent severe, punishing ofttimes with death; but paying a fine will free them; and the place of Judicature is in the open Market Place. Their Food is gross and beastly, as is their Habitations, mean and beggerly. They go naked, save about their Waist they tye a piece of Linnen; yet very proud and stately: They are of a Corpulent body, flat nosed, broad shouldred, white eyed. and teeth'd, small eared, &c. In matters of Religion, they are great Idolaters, worshiping Beasts, Birds, Hils, and indeed, every strange thing which they see; they hold there is two Gods, one doth them good, and the other hurt; and these two Gods, they say, fight together. Also they believe there is a God, which is invisible, which they say is black; yet of late they have tried many Forms of Religion, as Judaism, Mahometism and Christianity; but care not much for any. Nevertheless, some of them believe they die not, and to that end, give their dead bodies something to carry with them into the other World. They keep their Fetissoes day, that is, one day in seven for a day of rest, as their Sabbath, which is on a Tuesday, (a day that no other Nation in the World keeps) very strict; at which time, they offer Meat and Drink to their Fetisso or God, on a four square place, covered with Wires or Fetissoes straws, which the Birds (by them called Gods Birds) devour. During which time, the Fetissero sits upon a Stool with a Pot of Drink in his hand, using several Ceremonies. Amongst their Barbarous Customs they have one very good, and that is, when their Daughters are of a fitting age to marry, they put them into Houses, which are in the nature of Monasteries, where for a year they are educated by Old Men of good repute amongst them. And at the expiration of the said year, they are brought well habited (according to their Custom) and accompanied with Musick, and Dancing; and when a Young-man makes choise of any of them, he bargains with her Parents, and satisfies the Old Man that educated her, for his pains and charges (which is not much) and then takes her to Wife. The Portion being thus paid, they meet one another naked, and the Woman swears to be faithful to the Man, both at Bed and Board, and so the Marriage is concluded: But the Man sweareth not, being at liberty; so that upon the least offence, he may put her away, or force her to pay a Fine of so many Potoes of Gold: And according to the ability of a Man, he may buy and keep as many Wives as he pleaseth; among which, the eldest is subservient to the youngest. The Man never lieth with any of his Wives, neither eateth with them, but on Tuesdays, which is their Sabbath. And although the Husband commands, yet the Wife is the Purse-bearer until she be with Child, and ready to be delivered; at which time, being stark naked, and in the Field, among the People, she throweth the bag to her Husband, until taking a handful of Manniget and a spoonful of Oyl, she goeth abroad the next day, as well as if she had not been with Child, or suffered any pain; and then feasteth her Neighbors, circumciseth the Child; and after it hath lain sprawling upon the ground two or three daies, she taketh it, and carrieth it on her shoulders,* 1.45 like those which we call Gipsies; and is about four years of age, the Mother bringeth it to the Father, who teaches it to Swim, make Nets, Fish and Row, giving it nothing but what it can earn; and when it can be master of so much Gold as will purchase Linnen to make it a Wastcloth, it is rich.

In Guiny there are several Petty Kingdoms who make War one against the other; during which War, they destroy and burn the Countrey, to the end that the enemy may find no succour, removing their Goods to a Neighboring Kingdom, with whom they have peace; and the whole Kingdom surrounds the King, for his defence and safeguard; and thus they march. Their Weapons are the Bow and Arrows, with which they are so expert, that they can shoot within the breadth of a Shilling. Also they make use of the Poniard, the Dagger, the Shield and Turbant. In which Wars, those they kill, they eat; those they take, they make Slaves; and such are those, that the English, Dutch and other Nations buy of them; and whom they subdue, they take Hostages from. Their Kings are not over-rich, that Revenue which they have comes from the Customs and Tithes upon Goods; as also in the two Ounces of Gold paid by every Man that lieth with anothers Wife: Likewise, in Fines levied for Theft for their ransom; and lastly, in the Sixpenny forfeitures for bringing their Weapons within any of their Cities: Neither do they live in great pomp and grandure; a poor Cottage with us, being with them a Princes Palace. Yet they are had in such reverence, that none cometh to speak with them (though of their Nobility and Gentry) but must crawl upon the hands and knees, and so deliver their business unto them. But the White Men are had in so much respect (though never so poor) that they sit cheek by jowl by their Kings. Upon the Coronation day, as also upon the Quarter days, when the Kings receive their Customs, they make a maguificent Feast which lasteth for two or three days; at which times they have all the varieties in their way as the Countrey will afford; and many of them are held very powerful.

And here, on this Coastof Guiny, the Dutch have been great Traders, having several Holds and Factories, but of late in Anno 1663 and 64, the English have had many struglings with the Dutch, whom they have pretty well subdued; and have now settled their several Factories, and are incorporated into a Society at London, called the Royal African Company, who have many Factories and settlements, driving a very considerable Trade, to the great benefit of the Nation.

Isles of St. THOMAS, &c.

Between Guiny and the Lower Aethiopia, is a Guph, where are the Isles of St. THOMAS, Princes Island, Fernand Poo, Annobon or Bon Anne; and farther in the Great Sea, St. Matthew, the Ascention, St. Helena, &c. These Isles have their names from the day whereon they were discovered: That of the Prince, because its Revenue was designed for the Prince of Portugal; that of Fernand Poo, from him that discovered it.

But of all these Islands that of St. THOMAS is by much the greatest, and the best: Its form is almost round, it is thirty, others say forty; others, and with more apparent truth 60000 Paces Diameter; which are 180000 Paces, or 65 Leagues circuit, seated under the Aequator; and by reason of the excessive heats which are there predominant: The Air is found very prejudicial and unhealthful to strangers, especially to the Europeans, who scarce ever reach to the age of fifty years, and the Women much less: Yet the Natives of the Countrey live commonly 100 years, and without sickness. They have no Rain but only in March and September, yet by reason of the Dews, which at all other times of the year falls, the Earth is well moistned, so that it brings forth all sorts of Fruits, Roots and Pot-Herbs; but their principal riches is their Sugars, of which, they have sometimes exported 150000 Arrobes, each Arrobe being 32 l. weight, which is five Millions of pounds yearly: Also Ginger, &c. there is carried them in exchange for their Commodities, Wines, Oyls, Cheese, Stuffs, Beads, Drinking-glasses, Corn-Flower, and little white Shels which serve for Money in Aethiopia, as in Guiny, &c. They Trade in the Neighbouring Coasts, where are the Rivers of Barca, Campo, St. Benito, St. Juan, and the Isle of Corisco: Those Grains and Vines which they would have sown and Planted, have not thriven, the Earth being too fat. They make their Bread of divers Roots; have their Wood from Palm-Trees: They feed much Fowl, have abundance of several sorts of Fish, both great and small, among others, Whales. They have also great store of four-footed Beasts, among others, their Hogs bear the Bell; which being fed with Sugar-Canes, after the Juyce is drawn out, grow fat, and become so excellent, that their Pullain is accounted for no value to them, even for sick people. The middle of the Isle is filled with Mountains, which are loaden with a great number of Trees, which are always covered with Clouds, which so moisten the Trees, that from them •alls so much fresh water, as makes many little streams, which waters all parts of the Island. The Portugals have built the City Pavoasan, containing about 〈◊〉 or 800 Houses, and some Forts, to defend the Port: They have erected a Bishoprick, and do allow of no Religion, but the Christian. This Town is vell frequented by Portugal Merchants, who trade in the Commodities aforesaid. The Inhabitants are Negroes, and very black.

PRINCES ISLAND hath a little City, and the Inhabitants live conveniently; the Isle being fruitful, yielding Fruits, Sugar, some Ginger, &c. Once taken by the Hollanders, who for some reasons soon abandoned it.

The Island of ANNOBON yields Sugars, Cottons, Cattle, and excellent Fruits especially large Oranges. In this Isle there is a Town of 100 or 120 Houses of Blacks, who are governed by some few Portugals.

The Island of St. HELLENA was first discovered by the Portugals upon the 21 of May; on which day, is celebrated the memory of St. Helena, the Mother of Constantine the Great; from whom it took its name. This Isle is so fertile, that it is observed no place in all Europe yields the like plenty; for with manuring and cultivating the Earth, it produceth excellent Fruits, which are here found all the year: It hath great store of Barbary Hens, Feasants, Partridges, Pigeons, Quails, Peacocks, with several sorts of small Birds in great plenty; it hath also Goats, Swine, &c. Yet this Isle is not inhabited, but serves for the English, Portugals, Spaniards and Hollanders, to refresh themselves in going, but for the most part in returning from the Indies; it being sufficient to furnish Ships with Provision for their Voyage; here being Salt to preserve the Meat from stinking; and besides, the Air is so healthful, that they often leave their sick people there, who in a short time are restored to perfect health; and by the next Ships that put in there, are taken in again. During which time, they find wherewithal to feed them: But some years ago, the Hollanders ruined all that was good, only to spite the Spaniards, who afterwards did the same, that the English, Hollanders, &c. might have no profit by it. This Island is well furnished with good Waters, which alone is a great refreshment to Ships.

The Islands of FERNAND POO, St. MATTHEWS, and ASCENSION, are also not inhabited, and of no great account, nor much known; which we shall pass by, saying only, that they have some Fowls, Wild Beasts, and their Seas yield Fishes.

NƲBIA.

NƲBIA is bounded on the North, West and South, almost every where with Mountains; which separate it from the Desart of Barca and Egypt on the North; from Saara and the Negroes, on the West; and from the Abyssins, on the South; the rest towards the East, is hounded in part by the Nile which separates it from the Isle of Gueguere; in part by an Imaginary Line, which separates it from divers Provinces; of which, some belong to the Turks; who hold all that is on the Red Sea, which they have taken from the Abyssins.

NƲBIA thus taken, makes a long square, whose length from South-West, to North-East, is about 400 Leagues; and its breadth from South-East, to North-West, almost every where, 200 Leagues. The chief Cities of Nubia, are, Cusa, Gualva, Dancala, Jalac and Sula, according to the Arab of Nubia: Moreover and in the same Author, I find that Tamalma, Zaghara, Mathan, Angimi, Nuabia, Tagua, and some others fall likewise in Nubia; and by some Authors Gorham, which some would put among the Negroes, should be likewise in Nubia, because it is on the Nile: There where it can have no communication with the Negroes, who ought to be upon, and about the Niger. Likewise Damocla, towards the Negroes, and Bugia towards Egypt, ought to be esteemed in Nubia.

Gorham is on the Nile, and on the Coast of the Isle Gueguere. Sanutus make: a Kingdom, a Desart, and a People of this name, and extends them almost al• the length of the Isle Gueguere; not making any mention of the City of this name, nor John Leon of Africa, nor the Arab of Nubia, nor Vincent Blanck, who saith, he hath been in these quarters, and speaks only of the Desart o• Gorham. Other Authors make mention of this City, and describe it on the Nile. Sanutus saith, that there are found Emeralds in those Mountains, which bound Gorham on the South.