COMMUNICATIONS. 
-^15 
the rudiments of future manufaftures, and perhaps of an ex- 
tenfive commerce. 
Exempted by the nature of their chmate from many of thofe 
hardfhips from v/hich, in other countries, drefs is the principal 
proteftion, a large proportion of the inhabitants wear only the 
covering that decency requires. But moft of the Mahometans, 
as the mark of a religion which they are proud to profefs, adorn 
their heads with the folds of the turban, and alfo adopt, at leaf!: 
in fome of the States, the cotton fliirt, which is fo much worn in 
the empires of Caflina and Bornou. 
Tents, which are formed of the hides of cows or of buffa- 
loes, and which are pecuharly fuited to the fliepherd life, are the 
only dwellings of multitudes of the Negros ; while the huts, 
which others ered with the branches of trees, are of a conilruc- 
tion almofl equally fi mple. 
Several of the towns are defcribed as furrounded by ^valls ; 
and bows and arrows -are mentioned as the common infrruments 
of war. 
In the defcription of their Governments, a few Inlknces of 
fmall 
