XX 
APPENDIX. 
was informed that it did not impede the passage of canoes : so that it ought 
more properly to be termed a rapide, according to the American phrase ; 
that is to say, a slope, down which the water runs, with more than ordinary 
rapidity, but which does not, however, totally impede the passage of canoes, 
or small boats. 
The Joliba (Niger) descends from the high level of Manding, into Bam- 
bara, on the eastward, with a rapid and furious course, at Bammakoo, about 
150 miles below its source; after which it glides smoothly along, and af- 
fords an uninterrupted navigation to Houssa, and probably by Kassina to 
Wangarah ; by the two first of which places, a very large and navigable 
stream does certainly pass, under the same name as is applied by the Arabs 
and Moors to the Joliba, that is, Neel Abeed, or River of Slaves: a name 
that marks the idea of the people of the country through which it flows, in 
the minds of those people. 
Mr. Watt was informed, when at Teembo, the capital of the Foul ah 
kingdom, in 1794, that in the way from thence to Tombuctoo, (concerning 
which his inquiries were pointed) a part of the road, lay along the side of a 
Great Water, to which they came in about thirty days from Teembo. 
There can be no question but that the Great Water was the Joliba river; 
whose very name, as we have said, in the Manding language literally im- 
ports the same meaning : or more properly, the Great River. Some have 
concluded that the Foulahs intended by it a great inland sea; but this is 
highly improbable, although there are, no doubt, such in other quarters _ 
of Africa, which serve as receptacles for those rivers which do not reach 
the sea. But, in the present case, the distance itself points to the joliba ; 
for, a month's journey from Teembo, would reach beyond Yamina, but fall 
short of Sego : and we are told from the same authority, that in order to go 
to Tombuctoo, they pass through the countries of Beliah, Bowriah, Manda, 
Sego, &c. Beliah, we know not the situation of, but may conceive it to 
lie on the north-east, or east-north-east of Teembo; because Mr. Park 
points out Bowriah, under the name of Boori, adjacent to Manding, which 
is obviously recognized in the Manda of Mr. Watt : and Sego, there can 
be no doubt about. What is farther said concerning the great breadth of 
