INTERIOR OF AFRICA. 
CHAPTER XII. 
Containing some further miscellaneous Reflections on the Moorish 
Character, and Manners. — Observations concerning the Great 
Desert, its Animals, wild and domestic, &c. &c. 
The Moors of this part of Africa, are divided into majiy sepa- 
rate tribes ; of which the most formidable, according to what 
was reported to me, are those of Trasart and II Braken, which 
inhabit the northern bank of the Senegal river. The tribes of 
Gedumah, Jafnoo, and Ludamar, though not so numerous as 
the former, are nevertheless very powerful and warlike; and 
are each governed by a chief, or king, who exercises absolute 
jurisdiction over his own horde, without acknowledging alle- 
giance to a common sovereign. In time of peace, the employ- 
ment of the people is pasturage. The Moors, indeed, subsist 
chiefly on the flesh of their cattle ; and are always in the ex- 
treme of either gluttony or abstinence. In consequence of the 
frequent and severe fasts which their religion enjoins, and the 
toilsome journies, which they sometimes undertake across the 
Desert, they are enabled to bear both hunger and thirst, with 
surprising fortitude ; but whenever opportunities occur of satis- 
fying their appetite, they generally devour more at one meal, 
than would serve an European for three. They pay but little 
attention to agriculture ; purchasing their corn, cotton-cloth, 
