COMMUNICATIONS. 
89 
but a fmall town, is fituated S. W. of the capital, about eighty- 
miles, and colleds from its lands but little other produce than 
dates and Indian corn. The territory of Fezzan, to the Weft- 
ward of the capital, appears to extend but a little way; for on 
that fide, the fullen barrennefs of the Defart, more effectually 
than the ftrongeft human power, prefcribes a limit to the pur- 
fuits of Avarice and to the efforts of Ambition. 
Of the fmaller towns of Fezzan, and of its fcattered villages, 
the number of which, including that of the towns, is faid to be 
little lefs than one hundred, the Shereef has given no particular 
defcription. 
The towns themfelves appear to be chiefly inhabited by huf- 
bandmen and fhepherds ; for, though they alfo contain the Mer- 
chants, the Artificers, the Minifters of Religion, and the Officers 
of the Executive Government ; yet, the bufinefs of agriculture 
and pafturage feems to be the principal occupation of the natives 
of Fezzan. 
In every town a market for butcher's meat, and corn, and 
fruit, and garden vegetables, is regularly held. Mutton and goats 
£efh are fold by the quarter, without being weighed ; the ufual 
N price 
