Chap. XLIX. AKKIVAL AT THE CAPITAL. 
369 
ponds are formed. Here the country was enlivened 
by fine tamarind-trees, besides a few specimens of 
the dum-palm. We then entered a district rich in 
herbage, and well adapted for cattle-breeding. Shii- 
wa and Fellata foreigners were living here (as they 
generally do) together on friendly terms, as the simi- 
larity of the manners of these two distinct tribes, not- 
withstanding their different origin and totally distinct 
language, has brought them everywhere into the 
closest connection, and has facilitated in a remark- 
able manner the spreading of the latter race over 
so large an extent of Central Africa. The huts of 
these cattle-breeders are very different from those of 
the native settlers, being far more spacious, in order 
to admit the cattle, and having the roofs thatched in 
a very light and negligent manner, as they usually 
change their dwelling-places with the season, and 
therefore do not choose to bestow much labour upon 
them. 
As we were proceeding onwards we suddenly ob- 
tained a view over a green open depresssion clad with 
the finest verdure, and interspersed with the ruins 
of clay houses. This, then, was Mas-ena, the capital. 
It presented the same ruined appearance as the rest 
of the country. 
The town was formerly much larger ; and the wall 
had been carried back, but it was still far too large 
for the town, and in the utmost state of decay. 
Kuined by a most disastrous civil war, and trodden 
down by its neighbours, the country of Bagirmi seems 
VOL. III. B B 
