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APPENDIX, 
make incursions into the country of Lamlam, and there carry 
off men whom they sell to foreigners. 
Karkar,* a great country, containing many kingdoms, which 
bear the name of their capitals. The city of Karkar is situat- 
ed on a river which comes from the north, and loses itself in 
the sands of the desert. These people are black, very nume- 
rous; they wear ornaments of gold, and of skins well prepared. 
The king is very powerful, and puts great armies on foot ; 
their country borders on that of the mines of gold ; the earth 
is covered with them. When the merchants go thither, they 
draw a line ; on one side the inhabitants place their gold, and 
on the other the merchants place what they wish to exchange ; 
both parties withdraw, and do not return till next morning; 
then if they are content with the exchange they carry it away; 
but if they delay, "les habitans y mettent le feu, reprennent 
" leur or, et massacrent ceux qui se revoltent contre eux." f 
In this country is found a wood called serpent-wood, because 
it has the property of so far soothing these animals, that they 
may be taken fearlessly in the hand. 
Ghana, a country situated to the north of Maghrara. The 
city, which bears the same name, is one of the largest in the 
country of the blacks ; it is divided into two parts, situated on 
the opposite banks of the Nile. All the merchants of the 
other countries come thither for gold, which is found in the 
earth ; those of Segelmessa go in twelve days through deserts 
where there is no water ; they bring figs, salt, copper, ouda, 
and carry back gold only. The inhabitants have boats on the 
Nile; the king has numerous armies; many neighbouring 
kings are subject to him ; his palace is upon the Nile, and 
you see there a piece of native gold as large as a rock. This 
prince is said to be a Musulman. 
* Probably the Kuku of Edrisi. 
f I have given here the words of M, de Guignes's translation, which 
do not seem very intelligible. 
