the western quarters, and the Arabs in the north.) The towns of
the Rock Tibbo, are Abo and Tibesty; which I am enabled to place
generally, by means of a route given by Mr. Horneman.*
The Tibbo Rshade, or Rock Tibbo, are so denominated from
their building their habitations under rocks, or living in caves; before
which they build huts of rushes, for their summer's residence.
Some idea of the tract inhabited by this tribe, may be collected
from Mr. Beaufoy’s account of the country between Fezzan and
Boumu, ch. vi.; and from Mr. Homeman's description of the white
Harutsch. The road to Bournu leads out of the country ot FeZzan,
from Temissa; from which town, seven journies bring us to the
plain of Tibesty, said to be inhabited by MahomedanS; which is
indeed the religion of the Rock Tibbo.. The last four days lead
across what is termed “ a hilly desert of sand. So far Mr.
Beaufoy’s informant.
The white Harutsch, crossed by Mr. Horneman, is in this vicinity,
and extends southward, from the line of his route aero,ss it,
from Augila to Mourzouk: so that it is not improbable that the
* From Mourzouk to Gatron, (or Kattron,) 'south 54 miles £ understood to be
o f British standard, and to include the windings of the road. Tftence to Tegerhie,
SSW 33 miles. T o Abo 7 days'; and thende to Tibesty, 3 days in an easterly direction.
Finally, to Burgu, | | l g | | each o f which 28'days are reckoned 18 B. miles
by the road. See above, page ioy . . ‘ . , __ . - • . . ..
It has been calculated;in page t5$rth :atTegheVy;'-by the general result of-the
authorities, should be placed S 26 W , 68 G . miles from Mourzouk.
From thence, the 10 days to Tibesty, in an easterly direction, may be taken at
about 140 G . miles; which meeting the line of 7 days, equal to 98 G . miles from
Temissa; (See Proceed. Afr. Assoc. 1790, chap. iv.) places Tibesty at 133 miles SE
by E. from Mourzouk.
“ hilly desert” just mentioned, is a continuation of the white Harutsch.
What renders it more probable is, that Mr. Horneman was
told, that certain black mountains, which he suspected to be a part
of the black Harutsch, are crossed in the way from Fezzan to
Bournu. And it has been shewn, that the black Harutsch adjoins
to the white Harutsch on the east; and this arrangement may continue,
southward: in which direction Mr. Horneman was informed
the black Harutsch stretched, beyond the line of his route.
This gentleman describes the hilly part of the white Harutsch to
consist of “ loose friable limestone, in which the petrifactions are imbedded
so loosely, that they may be taken out with ease.” No rocks
therefore are more likely to contain natural caves, or are more easily
excavated, when wanted. This tract, therefore, seems, as well from
description, as position, to be that inhabited by the Rock Tibbo.
A circumstance in Herodotus (Melpom. 183), leads one to conclude,
that these are the Ethiopian Troglodytes, hunted by the Gara-
mantes. The Garamantes, I trust, I have made to appear, are the
Fezzaners; and here are a tribe of Troglodyte, on their very borders.
They are said, in the same place, to be very swift of foot.
Mr. Horneman says, that the walk of the Tibbos is light and swift;
as if remarkably so : but then he speaks of the Tibbo, collectively;
and not of any particular tribe. But, on the other hand, it appears
that he saw more of the Rock Tibbo, than any other: for he says,
“ they go in multitudes to F e z z a n a n d it may be that his opinion
of the nation at large was, in a great measure, formed by what he
saw of this tribe. *
* Th e Troglodytes were found in every place where nature or art had prepared
recesses for them ; and are always gifted with superior swiftness o f foot. In particular,
in Pliny, lib. vii. c. 2. and in Hanno’s Voyage, &c.
Considering that Fezzany under the name of Garamanta, was one o f the earliest
A a