d more harmony than that of any other
nation, excepting his own.
319
_Sigin Messa_. (_Sigilmessa_.)

The country of Sigin Messa, called in the maps Sigilmessa, was the
state prison of the kingdom of Suse, when it formed a part of the
empire of Muley el Monsore, in the twelfth century of the Christian
era. Messa, a port in Suse, was then a large city, and the capital
of the kingdom of Suse. The state prisoners were sent to a place of
safe keeping, which was east of Tafilelt, and was therefore called
Sigin Messa, i.e. the prison of Messa.

_Mungo Park at Timbuctoo_.

In the month of March, 1806, a letter was received at Mogodor by
Seedi L'Abes Buhellal Fasee, from his liberated slave at Timbuctoo.
This letter was in Arabic, and the following is an extract
literally translated from it by myself:--

"A boat arrived a few days since from the West at Kabra, having two
or three Christians in it. One was (_rajel kabeer_) a tall man, who
stood erect in the boat, which displayed (_shinjuk bied_) a white
flag. The inhabitants of Kabra did not, however, understand the
signal to be emblematic of peace, and no one went to the boat,
although it remained at anchor before Kabra the whole day, till
night. In the morning it was gone."

320 _Troglodytae_.

The Shelluhs of the Atlas, south-east of Santa Cruz, in Suse,
during the rainy season, from November till February inclusive,
live in caves and excavations in the rocks and earth; laying up
provisions sufficient for that period, until the snow begins to
melt. The Berebbers of North Atlas have followed the same custom
from time immemorial.

_Police of West Barbary_.

When the present Emperor came to the throne, he gave indefatigable
attention to the police. He wished, he said, to make the roads safe
for travellers, from the Desert, or Sahara, to the shores of the
Mediterranean. He was vigilant in discovering thefts, and rigorous
in punishing them. If any one was robbed, he had only to report it
to the Emperor, who would forthwith order the douar where the
robbery was committed to restore the sum stolen, and to pay a fine
to the treasury of the same amount. By adhering strictly to this
system, he improved the revenue, and made travelling perfectly
safe; so that one may travel now (1805), wit