MOORS. 48^ 
the south of this line is native Africa ; the popu- 
lation of which, though originally, it is probable, 
derived also from Asia, has been so long esta- 
blished as to have lost all trace or record of that 
derivation ; so that its aspect, manners, and insti- 
tutions, appear now to be wholly indigenous. 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 Mauri tan ian and Numidian population, 
the Vandalic invaders of Northern Africa, the 
Saracen conquerors (now the most numerous and 
prevailing), the Brebers, or inhabitants of the 
mountain districts ; all these have contributed 
I their share. The constituent parts, however, 
can now with difficulty be distinguished, so firm- 
ly have they been moulded together by the influ- 
