144 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. Chap. LVII. 
are capable, most of them being distinguished by the 
smallness of their limbs and the slender growth 
of their bodies. But as to their outward appearance, 
which presents various contrasts in complexion as 
well as in bodily development, we must first take 
into account that the Fulbe, as a conquering tribe, 
sweeping over a wide expanse of provinces, have 
absorbed and incorporated with themselves different 
and quite distinct national elements, which have given 
to their community a rather varying and undecided 
character. 
Moreover, besides such tribes as have been entirely 
absorbed, and whose origin has even been referred 
to the supposed ancestors of the whole nation, 
there are others which, although their pedigree 
is not brought into so close a connexion with that 
of the Fulbe, nevertheless are so intermingled with 
them, that they have quite forgotten their native 
idiom, and might be confounded with the former by 
any traveller who is not distinctly aware of the 
fact. Prominent among these latter are the Sissilbe, 
as they call themselves, or Syllebawa, as they are 
called in Hausa, whom I shall have occasion to men- 
tion on my visit to Sokoto, and who are nothing 
but a portion of the numerous tribe of the Wakore 
or Wangarawa, to whom belong also the Siisu and 
the so-called Mandingoes ; and while that portion of 
them who are settled in Hausa have entirely for- 
gotten their native idiom, and have adopted, besides 
the Fulfdlde language, even the Hausa dialect, their 
