476 
MORAL AND POLITICAL 
depths of the interior. On the south of this line 
is native Africa ; the population of which, though 
originally, it is probable, derived also from Asia, has 
been so long established as to have lost all trace or 
record of that derivation ; so that its aspect, man- 
ners, and institutions, appear now to be wholly in- 
digenous. We shall consider separately these two 
divisions. 
Among all the aboriginal inhabitants of Africa, 
the Moors hold the most prominent place. The 
import of this name, however, though so widely 
diffused throughout Africa, is exceedingly vague. 
It is an European term, not recognized by them- 
selves, and is compared to that of Romi or Latins, 
by which Europeans were wont to be designated 
in the east. During the middle ages, the profes- 
sors of the Mahometan faith were divided into 
Turks and Moors ; all who were not Turks were 
called Moors. At present the name of Moors 
seems chiefly confined to the inhabitants of the 
cities of Barbary. These, too, are not a single race, 
but aggregated from various sources. The ancient 
Mauritanian and Numidian population, the Van- 
dalic invaders of Northern Africa, the Saracen con- 
querors (now the most numerous and prevailing), 
the Brebers, or inhabitants of the mountain dis- 
tricts ; all these have contributed their share. The 
constituent parts, however, can now with difficulty 
be distinguished, so firmly have they been mould- 
