again be requisite for this discussion; but in no map is the Atlas represented as extending so far to the south; and the greater Atlas w uld rather seem to be Cape Geer, where the chain probably terminates, or thence extends in the same direction, as not unusual, till it constitute the isles called the Canaries. Ptolemy's delineation of the Atlas is singularly broken and indistinct. In some modern accounts this ridge is considered as dividing the kingdom of Algier fiom Zeb and Bilidulgerid, that is, the direction is south-west and north-east, which also seems confirmed by Dr. Shaw, though he acknowledge considerable difficulties.* So far as the materials will admit, the Atlas may be considered as extending from Cape Geer in a north-east direction, and giving source to many rivers flowing north and south, till it expire in the kingdom of Tunis. This main ridge may perhaps, in some places, present a double chain, and in others diverge in branches. From the accounts of some French mineralogists, who have visited the western extremity, the structure is granitic and primitive.

Otrers. Further to the east the ranges of mountains or rather hills, in what is called the country of Dates, cannot be considered as portions of the Atlantic range. Along the western shores of the Arabian Gulf extends a celebrated ridge of red granite, which supplied the famous obelisks of Egypt; and of which one mountain was styled that of Emeralds, from the quarries of that gem: in the same vicinity were the quarries of the celebrated marble called Verde Antico, recently observed by Bruce and Browne. The high mountains of Abyssinia seem to branch from the great central chain already mentioned, or rather from its junction with that on the west of the Red Sea; but the natural history remains unknown. The conjectural ridge proceeding south is supposed to terminate about latitude 2j*, as the high mountains on the north of the European colony of the Cape pass east

• Travels, 1738, folio, p. 18, &c.

Strabo, lib. 17. mentions the Atlas as called Dyris by the natives, and only describes it as being beyond the pillars of Hercules, on turning to the left or south, the ancients indeed seeming to regard it as one high mountain, not as a ridge. Mela, lib. i. cap. 4, mentions the Atlantae as the fur.hest peo pie on the west. Pliny, as usual, is the most learned, lib. v. cap. 1. He also describes Atlas as a detached mountain, rising from the sands to a great he'ght, on the shores of the ocean to which it gave its name, yet towards the end of the chapter he describes it as a range passed by Suetonius Paulinus on his progress to the Nigir. It is to be regretted that Pliny's geography, perhaps the most interesting of all antiquity, has not been translated and illustrated, as it has been in a singular manner ncgleeted by D'Anville, and most other inquirers into ancient geography, who seem only to recur to geographers strictly so called.

From Mr. Lempriere's journey in Morocco the range of the Atlas seems clearly ascertained, the town of Santa Cruz standing near its furthest extremity, while Tanidant, to which he passed through an open plain, is, by his account, on the south of the Atlas. Thence Cape Geer is the clear termination or great Atlas of Ptolemy, while the smaller Atlas is a branch extending towards Safli, Lempriere, p. 75, or Cape Cantin: and another branch now called the Lesser Atlas reaches to Tangier. The Arabian geographers extend the Atlas (Daran) through Tripoli, but this opinion is contradicted by modern observation, and even by the maps of Ptolemy.

AFRICA.

and west, and the Orange river rising from their northern base is supposed to follow a north-west and west direction. The mountains of the Cape seem chiefly of blue schistus, siliceous sandstone, and granular quartz, interspersed with large masses of granite, which are often found hollow, as if they had contained some softer substance. Deserts. But the most striking feature of Africa consists in the immense deserts, which pervade many parts of that continent, and may perhaps be found to comprise one half of its whole

extent.

ZAARA. Of these the chief is that called Zaara, or the Desert, by eminence, stretching from the shores of the Atlantic, with few interruptions, to the confines of Egypt, a space of more than forty-five degrees, or about 2500 geographical miles, by a breadth of twelve degrees, or 720 geogiuphical miles. This prodigious expanse of red sand, and sandstone rock, presents, as it were, the ruins of a continent; and perhaps gave rise to the fable of Atlantis, a region at first conceived to be seated in the sands on the west of Egypt; and afterwards, like other fahles, passing gradually further before the light of discovery. This empire of sand defies every exertion of human power or industry; but it is interspersed with various islands of different sizes, of which Fezzan is the chief which has yet been explored. A recent traveller in Morocco says, that caravans frequently pass from Tafilet to Tombut or Tombuctoo, by the country of the Mohafres and Thouat*. city of Thouat is in the interior parts of the country, about thirty days journey from Tafilet. From Thouat the caravans proceed directly to Tombut. There is much greater danger in passing the two deserts between Tafilet and Thouat, than between the latter place and Tombut." Thouat seems to be the Toudeny of some recent maps; and the vast desert instead of being more justly considered in the aggregate, is divided into portions of distinct appellations, as the travellers happen to meet with islands, saline pools, or other circum

stances.

"The

In the southern parts of Africa, towards the European settlements, there are also deserts of great extent; but it seems probable that the central ridges of mountains, already indicated, preserve vegetation where they extend; and it is understood that the Portuguese have been prevented from passing from Congo to Zanguebar by ranges of mountains full of the most ferocious animals, and impeded by that thick thorny underwood which is peculiar to African forests. there is probably, as in Asia, a wide desert table-land between the east and west ranges, pervaded by the Giagas or Jagas, who seem to be the Tatars of southern Africa; and who are said sometimes to have roamed from Mozambic to the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope.

Yet

In arranging the following brief description. ARRANGEMENT. of Africa, the first account shall be that of Abyssinia, the chief native power, so far as hitherto discovered. Thence by Egypt, in a geographical progression, the route shall embrace the Mahometan states on the north, the western coast, and the Cape of Good Hope. The progress shall then be continued along the eastern shores: nor must the

# Lempriere, 343, 344.

noble island of Madagascar be forgotten. The smaller islands which must be arranged with Africa are, Bourbon, Mauritius, &c. nor can Kerguelen's Land be properly allotted to any other division of the globe. The geographical voyage then bends to the north-west by St. Helena, the islands of Cape Verd, the Canaries and Madeira. The whole description shall be closed with a summary of the discoveries, and conjectures, concerning the central parts of this great continent.

ABYSSINIA.

EXTENT.—ORIGINAL POPULATION.—PROGRESSIVE GEOGRAPHY.— RELIGION. GOVERNMENT. POPULATION.—ARMY. REVENUES. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.--LANGUAGE.--CITIES. MANUFACTURES AND COMMERCE.--CLIMATE AND SEASONS.--RIVERS.LAKES.- MOUNTAINS.--BOTANY.--ZOOLOGY.--MINERALOGY.NATURAL CURIOSITIES.

Extent. THIS kingdom, which exceeds in antiquity and stability, any of the African states, extends about eleven degrees in length, from north to south, that is, about 660 geographic or 770 British miles. The medial breadth is about eight degrees of longitude, in latitude ten degrees, or 572 geographic miles, about 550 British. On the east, the chief boundary is the Red Sea; and it is divided from the kingdom of Adel by an ideal line: on the south, mountains and deserts seem to part it from Gingiro and Alaba, while on the west and north, mountains and forests constitute the barriers towards Kordofan and Sennaar. It is divided into provinces, of which Tigri is remarkable for the transit of commerce to the Arabian gulf; Gojam for the sources of the Astapus or fabled Nile of the Abyssinians; and Dembea for a noted lake, and Gondar, the capital of the monarchy.

Original Population. It seems sufficiently established, that Abyssinia was peopled at a very early period, by a colony from the opposite shores of Arabia, and the people still retain Arabian features, though their complexions be darker than those of their progenitors: but they have neither the singular construction of the negro scull, nor other peculiarities of that race.* In the year 333 the Abyssinians were converted to Christianity, their general tenets being those of the Greek

Volney has with sufficient precipitation pronounced, that the ancient Egyptians were negroes, though he had only to look at their descendants the Copts, at any of their ancient gems, or other representations, or even at the mummies themselves, to perceive his error. But Volney was labouring for the emancipation of the negroes; and that sptcies of reasoning ignorance, which is too often called philosophy, is itself over-run with the most singular prejudices.

church, received from the patriarch of Alexandria; but they still retain the African circumcision, a native and aboriginal rite wholly unconnected with religion. As the Arabs impute every thing marvellous to Solomon, so these their descendants, and in frequent habits of intercourse, have adopted the same ideas, which are strengthened by religious fable and tradition. Hence the Abyssinian kings claim a descent from that monarch, in the same mode of reasoning as the Arabs deduce the noble genealogy of their steeds from the stalls of Solomon. The queen of Sheba, or Saba, in Arabia Felix, has also been transferred to the other side of the gulf. Some credulous travellers have fondly adopted these idle tales; though they allow that the Abyssinian annals are dubious, broken and obscure; and the natives bad not even the use of letters till they were converted to Christianity. From more certain sources it may be traced that the Axumites or Abyssinians were considerably civilized in the sixth century, and carried on some trade with Ceylon*. In the same century the Neguz, or king of Abyssinia conquered the Arabian monarchy of the Homorites in Yemen; and a Roman ambassador appeared in the royal city of Axume, which existed in the time of Alvarez; but the territory could not be very extensive, as there were only seven bishops subject to the patriarch of Alexandria.

Progressive Geograpnic The progressive geography of this country may be traced with tolerable accuracy, from the time of Ptolemy, who describes its chief features, the two large rivers called Astrapus and Astraboras, now the Bahr el Azrek and the Tacuzzi or Athara, and the lake Coloe or Dembea, with the royal city of Axumc, now a village called Axum. The Arabian geographers supply the interval between ancient and modern knowledge.

Religion. The religion, as already mentioned, is the christian, with some peculiar forms and practices, too minute to be here detailed.

Government. The government is absolute and hereditary, but with a kind of election in the royal family: and the king is saluted with prostration. A striking and romantic singularity, was, that the princes were educated on a lofty and solitary mountain, a practice long since abandoned.

Population. Concerning the population of this country there seems no authentic evidence. Alvarez pronounces it one of the most populous regions in the world; but this seems one of the usual Spanish and Portuguese exaggerations.

Army. By Bruce's account it is extremely difficult to raise the royal army above thirty thousand; yet in so barbarous a state it it might be concluded that every tenth person joins the army. But so thin a population is incredible, and it seems probable it may amount to two or three millions.

Revenues. The royal revenues consist of the rude products of the various provinces, the use of money being unknown, though gold be found in the sand of the rivers. One of the chief articles is cattle, which are numerous, and sold at a low price.

• Gibbon, vii. 342