APPENDIX. 
527 
It be put to a serpent's den, immediately the serpent comos 
out of it : And also, he who wears this wood, can take in hii^ 
hand a serpent without fear ; but rather, upon touching them, 
he shall seem to feel in him a certain courage. However, the 
truth of this fact is only supported by the reports of the re- 
mote nations of the west ; and it is probable, that they who 
hold this wood, or wear it about their necks, have not been 
near any serpent to try. This wood is like pyrethrum or 
bartram, is of a twisted grain, and of a black colour. 
The city Kucu is distant from the city Ghana a month and 
half's journey ; from the city Tamalma, towards the east, four- 
teen days. That is a small city, without walls, frequented by 
people from the country of Kouar. From Tamalma to the 
city Mathan, from the country of Kanem, are twelve days' 
journey : This also is a small city, and none of the usual arts 
are practised in it, very little merchandise, and the people have 
camels and goats. From the city Mathan to the city Angimi 
is reckoned eight days' journey, and this also belongs to the 
province of Kanem ; it is very small, not inhabited by much 
people, and those of a mean spirit : They are adjoining to 
Nuba on the east, and distant from the Nile three days' jour- 
ney, and they have no water but from wells. From Angimi to 
the city Zaghara is six days' journey : Zaghara has many towns, 
and populous ; and round about it live a certain people, like 
those of Zaghara, who hire camels of the citizens ; and they 
exercise some trade in merchandise of little value, and have 
some arts among them. These likewise drink well water, and 
eat large grained millet, and dry flesh of camels ; also fish 
mingled with myrrh, and milk meats, with which they greatly 
abound. They cover themselves over with skins, and are the 
swiftest in running of all the negroes. From the city Zaghara 
to Mathan is eight days' journey, and the emperor and prince 
reside there, whose soldiers, as they are for the most part 
naked, are archers. From this city Mathan to the city Tagua 
are thirteen days' journey, and this is the metropolis of tlie 
