328 
THE AFRICAN ASSOCIATION. 
bably the Chelonides Palus of Ptolemy, after a 
journey of forty-five days : it consists of 1000 ca- 
melp, maintained for the purpose, and accustomed 
to this perilous route. The merchants of Cassina 
export gold dust, slaves, senna, civet, cotton-cloth, 
dyed goat-skins, ox and buffaloe hides ; and im- 
port European cloths, and iron-ware, horses, cow- 
ries, and gooroo-nuts. In cloths, the glaring 
colours are most acceptable, and the inhabitants 
of Fullan, a district on the west of Cassina, wear 
clothes which are checked with various colours, 
like the plaids of the Scotch Highlanders. The 
majority of the population consists of negroes, 
who adhere to their ancient superstitions, though 
the king and many of the chiefs are Mahometans. 
The government seems to have originated in the 
predominating influence of a powerful tribe re- 
ducing to subjection those in its vicinity. Hence 
the tribes which own allegiance to Cassina differ 
in language, character, and manners. The suc- 
cession to the throne is determined by the elec- 
tion of the chief men, but their choice is confined 
to the royal family. 
The more enterprising of the Fezzan merchants 
do not confine their commerce to the countries 
north of the Niger. They cross that river at a 
ferry situated 100 miles to the south of Cassina. 
The Niger here is reported to flow from east to 
west, and with such rapidity, that no vessel can 
