THE SOURCE OV THE NILE. 313 



The foot of the mountains, Or edge of thefe marines 

 nearell Narea, is thick overgrown with coffee-trees, 'Which, 

 if not the only, is the largeft 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 Caffa, without any level ground whatever. It is faid to 

 be governed by a feparate prince : they were converted to 

 Chriitianity 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 edge of the marines, 

 have, in great meafure, cut off the communication with 

 Abymnia for many years together; fo that their continu- 

 ance in the Chriftian faith feems very precarious and un- 

 certain, for want of books and_prieits to inftrucl -them. 



The Nareans of the high country are the lighter! in co- 

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

 borders of the marines below are perfect blacks, and have 

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

 high country of Narea, and Hill more fo in the itupendous 

 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 Caffa, as alfo in that high ridge called 

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

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

 this can be faid of a fubftance 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 they fell by weight, is the me- 

 -dium of commerce within the country itfelf ; but coarfe 



Vol. II, R r cotton 



