THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 315 



The foot of the mountains, or edge of thefe marllies 

 neareft Narea, is thick overgrown with cofFee-trees, which, 

 if not the only, is the largeji tree known there. Then comes 

 the mountainous country of Narea Proper, which is inter- 

 fperfed with fmall, unwholefome, but very fertile valleys. 

 Immediately adjoining is the more mountainous country 

 of Caflfa, without any level ground whatever. It is faid to 

 be governed by a feparate prince : they were converted to 

 Chriflianity in the time of Melee Segued, fome time after 

 the converfion of Narea. The Galla, having fettled them- 

 felves in all the flat ground to the very t&^c of the marfties, 

 have, in great meafure, cut off the communication with 

 Abyflinia for many years together; fo that their continu* 

 ance in the Chriflian faith feems very precarious and un- 

 certain, for want of books and priefts to inflruft them. 



The Nareans of the high countiy are the lightefl in co- 

 lour of any people in Abyllinia ; but thofe that live by the 

 boi'ders of the marflies below are perfed blacks, and have 

 the features and wool of negroes : -whereas all thofe in the 

 high country of Narea, and ftill more fo in the ftitpendous 

 mountains of Caffa, are not fo dark as Neopolitans or Sici- 

 lians. Indeed it is faid that fnow has been feen to lie on 

 the mountains of Calfa, as alfo in that high ridge called 

 Dyre and Tcgla ; but this I do not believe. Hail has pro- 

 bably been feen to lie there ; but I doubt much whether 

 this can be faid of a fubilancc of fo loofe a texture as fnow. 



There is great abundance both of cattle, grain, and all 

 forts of provifions'in Narea, as well in the high as in the 

 low country. Gold, which ihey fell by weight, is the me- 

 dium of commerce within the countiy itlelf ; but coarfe 



Vol. II, R r cotton 



