46 
DISCOVERIES DURING 
is mentioned only in regard to the Jews, who are 
said to have been most rigorously excluded. 
Cabra was a town similarly built, but smaller. 
It was situated on the Niger, at twelve miles from 
Tombuctoo, and was the port from whence the 
merchants sailed for the western countries of 
Ghinea and Melli. Ghinea, or Genni, is de- 
scribed as an extensive country, 500 miles in 
length, and 250 in breadth, extending along the 
Niger till that river fell into the ocean. The 
country was very fertile, particularly in cotton ; 
the manufacture of which formed the main staple 
of its trade. During the months of July, August, 
and September, it is completely overflowed by the 
branches of the Niger, which surround it in the 
manner of an island. At that time the merchants 
of Tombuctoo conveyed their commodities in small 
canoes made of a single tree. These they rowed 
during the day ; then fastening them to the shore, 
spent the night on land. At the time Leo wrote, 
this country also had been conquered by Izchia, 
king of Tombuctoo. To the south of it lay Melli, 
upon a river which fell into the Niger. It is de- 
scribed as also fertile, abounding in merchants 
and artificers, who enjoyed a great degree of opu- 
lence. The inhabitants were the first who had 
embraced the religion of Mahomet, and were su- 
perior to all other negroes in wit, civility, and in- 
dustry. To the north of Ghinea was Gualata 8 
