APPENDIX. 
529 
NO. II. 
DESCRIPTION OF CENTRAL AFRICA BY IBN-AL-VARDI. 
{Flourished about 1340, according to D'Herbelot.) 
Maghrara, a country in the territory of the Soudans, or of 
the Blacks, of which the principal city bears the name of Ou- 
lili, situated on the shore of the sea ; there are salt pits, and a 
great trade in salt, which is carried into the other countries of 
the Blacks. 
Sala, a great city, situated on the Nile, where is a great 
concourse of people ; its inhabitants are brave. 
TeJcrour^ a great city, situated to the south-west of the Nile, 
where there are mines of gold ; all the rest of the country of 
Maghrara is composed of deserts, where no one passes, be- 
cause there is neither water nor pasture. There is also men- 
tion made of a city called Lamlam, which is inland, and where 
gold is found. 
Ouancara,* another country situated to the east of Magh- 
rara ; it is large, and there are many cities, among others, one 
which bears the same name. It is the country of gold and 
aromatics, situated on the shore of the great Bahr, (sea, lake, 
or river), in the form of an isle or peninsula. Its length is 
300 miles, and its breadth 150 ; the great sea surrounds it on 
three sides, and the Nile, when it overflows, covers the great- 
er part of the country. When it has retired, the inhabitants 
search for the gold, and collect it, which renders them very 
rich. The king of the country has a particular canton, into 
which none enter except those who go to collect it. This 
gold is carried to Segelmessa, where it is made into money, a 
commerce which greatly enriches the inhabitants of that city. 
* Wangara. 
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