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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)
B) the sodium-potassium pump regulates osmotic balance.
C) chemical messengers are not used to communicate.
D) collagen is used to build tissues.

Copyright © 2016 Pearson Canada Inc. 2-2


Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

Answer: A
Page ref: 23-24

7) All animals
A) eat other animals.
B) are multicellular.
C) reproduce sexually.
D) are triploblastic.
Answer: B
Page ref: 24

8) The three cell types found in sponges are


A) cnidocytes, mesenchyme cells, and nematocyst cells.
B) choanocytes, mesenchyme cells, and pinacocytes.
C) choanocytes, cnidocytes, and nematocyst cells.
D) nematocyst cells, mesenchyme cells, and pinacocytes.
Answer: B
Page ref: 24

9) The first animals to show true tissues were


A) sponges.
B) placozoans.
C) cnidarians.
D) ctenophores.
Answer: C
Page ref: 24

10) One key advantage associated with bilateral symmetry in animals is


A) an increase in speed.
B) the presence of a coelom.
C) the evolution of limbs.
D) the evolution of cephalization.
Answer: D
Page ref: 25

11) In early gastrulation, a depression called a blastopore forms. If this blastopore forms the anus, the
animals are referred to as
A) deuterostomes.
B) protostomes.
C) gastrostomes.
D) diploblasts.
Answer: A
Page ref: 25

12) Which of the following statements is correct?


A) In deuterostome animals, the blastopore becomes the mouth and the anus forms at a distant site.
B) In coelomate animals, the coelom is located between the endoderm and the mesoderm.
C) Arthropods show metamerism and tagmatization.
D) Deuterostomes include the arthropods, echinoderms, and chordates.

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

Answer: C
Page ref: 25-28

13) Triploblastic animals are


A) acoelomate.
B) pseudocoelomate.
C) coelomate.
D) partially coelomate.
Answer: C
Page ref: 26

14) Platyhelminthes exhibit which of the following lifestyles?


A) free-living
B) free-living and ectoparasitic
C) ectoparasitic and endoparasitic
D) free-living, ectoparasitic, and endoparasitic
Answer: D
Page ref: 26

15) Platyhelminthes can live without a circulatory or respiratory system because


A) they rely on their digestive system.
B) they are dorsoventrally flattened.
C) the kidney excretes excess waste materials.
D) the epidermis secretes lubricants.
Answer: B
Page ref: 27

16) Which of the following statements best describes mollusks?


A) Mollusks include gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods; they have a reduced coelom, and many
move at a sluggish pace.
B) Mollusks include gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods; many move at a sluggish pace, and all are
aquatic.
C) Mollusks include gastropods and bivalves; several bivalves are terrestrial with adaptations to
withstand severe dehydration.
D) Mollusks include gastropods and bivalves, have a mantle, and all are aquatic.
Answer: A
Page ref: 27

17) Which characteristics do annelids and arthropods have in common?


A) Both have feeding grooves.
B) Both exhibit metamorphosis.
C) Both are metameric.
D) Both have a chitin-based body covering.
Answer: C
Page ref: 27-28

18) Which of the following characteristics would be most beneficial for animals to successfully survive on
land?

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

A) The presence of a notocord and dorsal nerve cord.


B) The ability to undergo metamorphosis.
C) The presence of an open circulatory system.
D) The presence of an exoskeleton.
Answer: D
Page ref: 27-28

19) The most ancient deuterostomes are


A) annelids.
B) echinoderms.
C) mollusks.
D) arthropods.
Answer: B
Page ref: 28

20) Gans’s and Northcutt’s “new head” hypothesis proposes that


A) vertebrates have a diffuse nerve sensory system.
B) more complex teeth in the head evolved in response to a more predatory lifestyle.
C) the success of vertebrates was linked to specializations of the head.
D) B and C
Answer: C
Page ref: 28

21) Cartilaginous fish evolved from


A) agnathans.
B) placoderms.
C) ostracoderms.
D) lampreys.
Answer: B
Page ref: 29

22) Amphibians differ from other tetrapods in that amphibians


A) are much smaller.
B) have a more rigid spinal column.
C) depend on water for reproduction.
D) A and C
Answer: C
Page ref: 31

23) Which of the following animals are amniotes?


A) amphibians, mammals, birds, and reptiles
B) amphibians, birds, and reptiles
C) mammals, birds, and reptiles
D) birds and reptiles
Answer: C
Page ref: 31

24) Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?


A) modern mammals / anapsids

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

B) all extant reptiles and birds / diapsids


C) extinct group of reptiles / synapsids
D) having one opening in the side of the skull / anapsids
Answer: B
Page ref: 31

25) In terms of reproduction, which group of mammals is most similar to their reptilian ancestors?
A) monotremes
B) marsupials
C) placental mammals
D) flying mammals
Answer: A
Page ref: 32

26) Which of the following statements correctly describes birds?


A) Birds are modern reptiles.
B) Birds differ from other reptiles in their thermal biology.
C) Birds are the only remaining representatives of the therapsids.
D) A and B
Answer: D
Page ref: 32

27) Birds and mammals are similar in that


A) both contain species that lay eggs.
B) both are endothermic.
C) both are part of a group of reptiles that includes the dinosaurs and crocodilians.
D) A and B
Answer: D
Page ref: 32

28) Would you expect gene duplication, such as seen in the Hox gene, to lead to significant changes in
evolution of traits?
A) No, because a duplicated gene would most likely carry a deleterious mutation.
B) No, because a duplicated gene would be identical to the original gene and perform the original
function.
C) Yes, because one gene would perform a specific function, but duplicated copies could perform new
functions.
D) Yes, because the Hox gene controls all traits.
Answer: C
Page ref: 33

29) Which of the following statements is true with respect to myosin?


A) Plants, fungi, and animals share the same myosin families.
B) Myosin is found in all prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
C) Different classes of myosins are distinguished by differences in structural organization and amino acid
sequence.
D) Cardiac α-myosin allows for greater contractile efficiency.
Answer: C
Page ref: 33

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

30) Only certain organisms possess gene variants that are able to exchange Na+ for K+, thus making the
Na+/K+ ATPase unique to
A) animals.
B) fungi.
C) plants and animals.
D) fungi and plants.
Answer: A
Page ref: 34

31) Collagen is best described as a(n)


A) intracellular matrix protein.
B) extracellular matrix protein and one of the earliest innovations observed in animals.
C) matrix protein that all animals have, with the exception of sponges.
D) intracellular matrix that is a basis for communication between cells.
Answer: B
Page ref: 35

32) In tetrapods, the steroid hormone, aldosterone, plays a role in


A) mineral balance.
B) water and vitamin balance.
C) mineral and vitamin balance.
D) water and mineral balance.
Answer: D
Page ref: 35

33) One of the biggest challenges facing terrestrial organisms is to


A) escape from predators.
B) survive food shortages.
C) reduce water loss.
D) find shelter.
Answer: C
Page Ref: 36

34) Which of the following organisms are able to thrive under the most diverse environmental conditions
due to their remarkable biochemical adaptations?
A) prokaryotes
B) plants
C) fungi
D) invertebrates
Answer: A
Page ref: 36

35) Which of the following statements with respect to animals is correct?


A) In animals, anatomy and functional properties played a small role in their evolutionary success.
B) In animals, the ability to digest cellulose depends on symbiotic organisms.
C) There are few differences in metabolic rates among animals.
D) B and C

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

Answer: B
Page Ref: 36

36) The is considered to be the earliest life form.


Answer: progenote
Page Ref: 21

37) are often called extremophiles, because they can survive in some of the harshest
environments on earth.
Answer: Archaea
Page Ref: 21

38) The cell wall of fungi is composed of .


Answer: chitin
Page Ref: 23

39) The tissues of Cnidarians are termed because they are derived from two embryonic
body layers.
Answer: diploblastic
Page Ref: 24
40) The body plan of sponges is , while cnidarians are _.
Answer: asymmetrical; radially symmetrical
Page Ref: 25

41) The body of annelids is divided into repeating segments called .


Answer: metamers
Page Ref: 27

42) In echinoderms and chordates, the mouth forms second; therefore, both are .
Answer: deuterostomes
Page Ref: 25, 28

43) The first group of vertebrates to successfully colonize land was the .
Answer: amphibians
Page Ref: 31

44) In reptiles and birds, the evolution of the removed the dependence on water and
allowed complete transition to life on land.
Answer: amniote egg
Page Ref: 32

45) Birds are most closely related to the group of reptiles known as .
Answer: archosaurs
Page Ref: 32

46) Which family of genes is involved in development?


Answer: Hox
Page Ref: 33

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Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

47) Many eukaryotes have myosin 2, but only use it to build muscle.
Answer: animals
Page ref: 33

48) The Na+/K+ ATPase enables animal cells to create an electrical potential across the .
Answer: cell membrane
Page Ref: 35

49) Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that is produced only in .


Answer: tetrapods
Page Ref: 35

50) Metabolic rate is measured as _.


Answer: heat production per unit time
Page Ref: 36

51) We often hear the terms protists, protozoans, and metazoans; briefly explain the relationship among
them.
Answer: When we think about the origin of animals, we often think of protists. Protists are single-
celled, eukaryotic organisms that possess a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles. Protists are a
very diverse group of distantly-related organisms, and hence assigned to more than 50 phyla. Some
protists are animal-like and mobile, and because locomotion was considered a unique trait of
animals, animal-like protists were once considered to be the ancestors of animals and were referred
to as protozoans. Currently, the term protozoan has no meaningful evolutionary basis. The term
metazoan was originally created to differentiate single-celled protozoans from multicellular animals.
“Metazoan” and “animal” are often used synonymously.
Page Ref: 22

52) List the four key morphological traits that characterize all chordates. Discuss the important
physiological transitions from early chordates to Craniata and their evolutionary implication.
Answer: All chordates have a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, postanal tail, and pharyngeal slits.
When we compare early chordates to Craniata, we see several physiological transitions such as an
increase in the complexity of the nervous system, the formation of a larger brain, a backbone
derived from the notochord, an endoskeleton with the cranium, segmented muscles, and large
blood vessels. The filter-feeding pharyngeal structures in lancelets and tunicates evolved into a
diversity of structures, including gills of fish, jawbones, ear bones, muscles, nerves, and blood
vessels. The evolution of these structures resulted in an extensive diversity of vertebrates.
Page Ref: 28

53) From an evolutionary perspective, briefly explain why amphibian physiology provides an important
link between aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
Answer: Amphibians are intermediate between fish and reptiles in several ways. For example,
amphibian larvae are aquatic and breathe via gills, just like fish. When in water, adult amphibians
face similar osmotic challenges as do freshwater fish. Unlike fish, adult amphibians use lungs to
breathe on land, may also use their skin as a gas-exchange surface, and excrete urea as a waste
product. We see similarities between amphibians and reptiles when it comes to skeletons and
muscles: Land tetrapods require more robust skeletons and musculature to support their bodies on
land. Some amphibians, such as toads, have evolved a thickened body covering to avoid

Copyright © 2016 Pearson Canada Inc. 2-9


Principles of Animal Physiology, 3e (Moyes/Schulte)

desiccation. Reptiles are even better adapted to dry conditions, having evolved tough scales to
prevent water loss.
Page Ref: 31

54) Why is the sodium-potassium pump so important in the animal kingdom?


Answer: The sodium-potassium pump is also known as Na+/K+ ATPase. It is unique to animals
because only animals possess the gene variants that can exchange Na+ for K+. In animal cells, the
sodium-potassium pump creates an electrical potential across cell membranes and maintains the
membrane ion gradients that are critical for the function of neurons and muscles. Sodium-
potassium genes also allow for adaptations in relation to osmoregulation. For example, some
species of fish can change the expression of their Na+/K+ ATPase genes when they change
environments, thus allowing them to successfully move between freshwater and salt water at
specific times in their life cycle.
Page Ref: 33-35

55) Discuss the evolutionary connection between bilateral symmetry and cephalization in animals.
Answer: As organisms became more complex, this complexity was associated with an increase in
cephalization. Very early animals had simple nervous systems with little centralization for
processing information. Bilaterally symmetrical animals show a concentration of sensory and
nervous tissue in the anterior parts of their bodies. With the evolution of bilateral symmetry,
animals were able to move in a forward direction, using the sensory anterior end to locate food or
sense threats. For example, arthropods, which are bilaterally symmetrical, have a distinct head
region that processes extensive sensory information. Vertebrates show even more extensive
cephalization. In mammals, for example, the brain and central nervous system control breathing,
feeding, reflexes, thermoregulation, and movement.
Page Ref: 36

56) Describe some key physiological adaptations that allowed animals to successfully colonize terrestrial
environments.
Answer: Animals had to evolve physiological adaptations to successfully invade terrestrial
environments. Desiccation is a risk for all land organisms, therefore, adaptations to conserve water
were critical. Animals also had to overcome the challenge of controlling their internal osmolarity,
independent of the external environment. Animals evolved a body surface that would prevent
water loss (e.g., reptilian scales). An excretory system used to expel nitrogenous wastes out of
water was also an important adaptation for land animals. When water was no longer available for
support, skeletons and muscles evolved to allow locomotion on land. In addition, respiratory
systems to exchange gases on land became a requirement for successful survival on land.
Page Ref: 36

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compasses, a circumstance which appeared to me very extraordinary
and incredible; but I was repeatedly informed by many of the
inhabitants of Rabat, Moors, Jews, and Christians, that it was a
known fact, and might be ascertained by going to see the daily
progress made in the building of them.
The road of Salée is dangerous for shipping, and the
accumulation of sand at the entrance, will scarcely permit a vessel of
100 tons to enter the river without danger. Vessels may lie in safety
out of the river, near Rabat, from April till September inclusive; but
they are not secure the rest of the year, the wind blowing from the
southern quarter, and often obliging them to quit their moorings.
The best anchorage in this season, is between the Mosque of Rabat
and the old Tower of Hassen, having the latter to the north. A great
number of anchors having been lost, much attention must be paid to
the cables and buoys. Rabat stands in 34° 3′ N. lat.
On the eastern side of Rabat is a walled town named Shella: this
is sacred ground, and contains many Moorish tombs, held in great
veneration: the town is a sacred asylum, and is entered only by
Mohammedans. Once, however, when I was staying at Salée, an
English captain dressed himself in the Arabian habit, and
accompanied by a confidential friend, entered this sacred town, and
viewed what his guide told him were the tombs of two Roman
generals; but he had not time to examine the inscriptions thereon,
for fear of exciting observation. Shella was probably the Carthaginian
metropolis on the coast of the ocean. Various Roman and ancient
African coins used to be continually dug up here, but the exorbitant
price given for them by some agents of European antiquarians,
induced the Jews to imitate them, which they did so correctly, that
these amateurs were deceived; and lately people have fallen into the
opposite extreme, being now so over cautious as to dispute even the
antiques themselves; for this reason the Moors often sell them to the
silver and goldsmiths for their weight in silver. The last time I was in
Africa, I collected a number of these coins, but the vessel, in which I
was coming to England, sprung a leak, and foundered: and although
I saved some clothes, I could not get at the coins, which were
stowed away in a secret part of the ship, to be secure from
discovery, in the event of our falling in with any French privateer.
About twenty-five miles south of Rabat is a square building called
(El Monsoria) the Building of El Monsor, it having been erected by
that Sultan in the 12th century, as a refuge for travellers during the
night; as the adjacent country is favourable to the depredations of
robbers; and the people of this neighbourhood have been noted,
from time immemorial, as mischievous plunderers.
Following the coast southward for 25 miles more, we reach
Fedala; where a peninsula, which forms an indifferent shelter to
small vessels, has been called in some maps an island. The Emperor
Seedy Mohammed, before he founded Mogodor, was desirous of
building a city here. The situation, as to country and produce, is
delightful; and to encourage commerce, he caused the corn to be
brought from the Matamores[45] of the adjacent provinces, and
allowed it to be shipped here; it being cheap, he induced the
merchants to build houses, as a condition of their being allowed to
export it; but the place, although an excellent situation, was
abandoned soon after the corn was shipped, owing to some new
whim of the Emperor; for such is the fickle instability of the Moors,
that it is no uncommon thing in this extraordinary country, to see a
town deserted before the buildings are all completed, and such
indeed was the case with this delightful place. The road here is, I
believe, with the exception of that of Agadeer, the only one where
ships may ride at anchor in security in winter, which is owing to the
land south of the peninsula before mentioned, projecting into the
ocean towards the west.
About twelve miles to the south of Fedala, is Dar el Beida,[46] a
town formerly belonging to Portugal, but now in ruins, and
consisting only of some huts. The plains in the vicinage of Dar el
Beida are so abundant in grain, that when the old Emperor (Seedy
Mohammed) reigned, he received annually for duties on corn
shipped at this place, five or six hundred thousand Mexico dollars;
but since the accession of his son, the present Emperor, and the
consequent prohibition of the exportation of grain, the soil here and
elsewhere has lain fallow, as it would be useless for a people, whose
mode of life renders their wants so few, to sow corn, without having
a market to sell it at; and I myself know, that in consequence of this
prohibition, corn had become so cheap, that many husbandmen,
after the famine and plague in 1800 had subsided, let their crops
stand, the value of them being insufficient to pay the expense of
reaping them.
Forty-four miles south of Dar el Beida, stands the town of
Azamore, in the Arab province of Duquella, at some distance from
the mouth of the river Morbeya; the entrance to this river being
dangerous, the town of Azamore is not adapted to commerce. The
walls built here by the Portuguese are still standing. It was besieged
in 1513 by the Duke of Braganza, but abandoned by the Portuguese
about a century afterwards.
There is an immense quantity of storks here, insomuch that they
considerably exceed the number of inhabitants. The air is very
salubrious.
A little to the south of Azamore, on the northern extremity of the
bay of Mazagan, are the ruins of Têtt, which signifies in Arabic Titus,
and is therefore supposed to be the ruins of the ancient city of Titus,
founded by the Carthaginians. On the southern extremity of this bay
stands the town of Mazagan, built in 1506 by the Portuguese, and
called by them Castillo Real, or the Royal Castle. There is a dock on
the north side of the town, capable of admitting small vessels, but
large vessels anchor about two miles from the shore, on account of
the Cape of Azamore stretching so far westward, as, in the event of
a south-west wind blowing, they would not be able to clear it, if they
lay nearer.
Mazagan was besieged by the Moors in 1562 ineffectually, and in
1769 the Portuguese had resolved to abandon it when the Emperor
Seedy Mohammed ben Abdallah laid siege to it, and took it, the
Portuguese having previously evacuated it. It is a strong and well
built town, having a wall twelve-feet thick, strengthened with
bastions mounting cannon. The air of Mazagan is peculiarly
salubrious; the water is also excellent, and has a good effect on
horses soon after their arrival here, after passing a country where
that element is very indifferent, and is taken up in buckets from
wells about one hundred feet deep.
There still exists in this town a subterranean cistern, constructed
by the Portuguese in a very elegant style, sufficiently large to supply
the garrison with water, which is collected in the rainy season from
the terraces of the houses, which are made with a gentle inclination
towards the cistern; this water becomes extremely clear, and the
lime brought with it from the terraces, clarifies and preserves it from
worms and corruption; the cistern was somewhat damaged by the
bombs thrown into the town during the siege in 1769, but it still
serves the purpose of preserving the water. The vaulted roof is
supported by twenty-four columns of the Tuscan order; and the
descent is by stairs.
The exportation of corn and wax from this place was very
considerable in the time of Seedy Mohammed ben Abdallah.
At a short distance south-west of Mazagan, is an ancient town,
called Bureeja, whence the Moorish name Bureeja, which they give
to Mazagan.
Thirty-five miles south of Mazagan, is the town of El Waladia,
situated in an extensive plain. Here is a very spacious harbour
sufficiently extensive to contain 500 sail of the line: but the entrance
is obstructed by a rock or two, which, it is said, might be blown up;
if this could be effected, it would be one of the finest harbours for
shipping in the world. The coast of El Waladia is lined with rocks, at
the bottom of which, and between them and the ocean, is a table
land, almost even with the surface of the water, abounding with
springs, where every necessary and luxury of life grows in
abundance. The view of this land from the plains above the rocks, is
extremely beautiful and picturesque.
The town of El Waladia is small, and encompassed by a square
wall: it contains but few inhabitants. It may have been built towards
the middle of the 17th century by Muley El Waled, as the name
seems to indicate.
To the south of this, at the extremity of Cape Cantin, are the ruins
of an ancient town, called by the Africans Cantin, probably the Conte
of Leo Africanus.
Twenty-five miles south of El Waladia, we discover the ancient
town of Saffy, situated between two hills, which render it intolerably
hot, and in winter very disagreeable, as the waters from the
neighbouring mountains, occasioned by the rains, discharge
themselves through the main-street into the ocean, deluging the
lower apartments of the houses; and this happens sometimes so
suddenly and unexpectedly, that the inhabitants have not time to
remove their property from the stores.
The walls of Saffy are extremely thick and high; it was probably
built by the Carthaginians; but in the beginning of the 16th century
it was taken by the Portuguese, who voluntarily quitted it in 1641,
after having resisted every effort of the Mooselmin princes, who
endeavoured to take it. The road is safe in summer; but in winter,
when the winds blow from the south or south-west, vessels are
obliged to run to sea, which I have known some do several times in
the course of a month whilst taking in their cargoes.
There are many sanctuaries in the environs of Saffy, on which
account the Jews are obliged to enter the town barefooted, taking
off their sandals, when they approach these consecrated places; and
if riding, they must descend from their mule, and enter the town on
foot. The people of Saffy, although it has been a place of
considerable trade, particularly in corn, are inimical to Europeans,
fanatical, and bigotted, insomuch that till lately, Christians found it
an unpleasant residence. The surrounding country abounds in corn,
and two falls of rain a year are sufficient to bring the crops to
maturity.
South of Saffy, we come to a defile close to the road, where only
one person can pass, called (Jerf el Eudee) the Jew’s Cliff, so named,
(as it is reported,) from a Jew, who, in passing, slipped, and fell
down the cavity, which is some hundred feet deep.
Sixteen miles south of Saffy, we reach the river Tensift, which
discharges itself into the ocean, near the ruins of an ancient town,
probably the Asama of Ptolomy. Travellers pass the Tensift on
horseback in summer, but on rafts in the rainy season, which, in
passing, drift down to a square fort surrounded by trees, on the
opposite side of the river, built by Muley Ismael for the
accommodation of travellers.
Proceeding through the plains of Akkeermute, we discover the
ruins of a large town near the foot of Jibbel el Heddid,[47]
depopulated by the plague about 50 years since; and after a journey
of 48 miles from the river, we reach Mogodor, built by the Emperor
Seedy Mohammed ben Abdallah ben Ismael, in 1760, and so named
from a sanctuary in the adjacent sands, called Seedi Mogodol; but
the proper name is Saweera,[48] a name given by the Emperor in
allusion to its beauty, it being the only town altogether of
geometrical construction in the empire.
Mogodor is built on a sandy beach forming a peninsula, the
foundation of which is rocky adjoining to a chain of lofty hills, of
moveable sand impelled by the wind into waves continually changing
their position, resembling the billows of the ocean, and hence aptly
denominated a sea of sand, which sandy sea separates it from the
cultivated country. The town is defended from the encroachment of
the sea by rocks, which extend from the northern to the southern
gate, though at spring tides it is almost surrounded. There are two
towns, or rather a citadel and an outer town; the citadel (Luksebba)
contains the custom-house, treasury, the residence of the Alkaid,
and the houses of the foreign merchants, together with those of
some of the civil officers, &c. The Jews who are not foreign
merchants are obliged to reside in the outer town, which is walled
in, and protected by batteries and cannon, as well as the citadel.
Plate 9.

Drawn by J. G. Jackson. Engraved J. C. Stadler.

West View of (Jibbel Heddeed) the Iron Mountains


from the plains of Akkurmute
in the P rovince of S hedma .
1 3 Circular encampment of Arabs at a
Circular encampment of Arabs.
distance.
2 Ruined town of Akkermute destroyed by 4 Palm of Date Trees.
the plague. 5 Sanctuary at the top of the Iron
Mountains.

London Published June 4. 1811. by W. G. Nicholl Pall Mall.


Plate 10.

Drawn by J. G. Jackson. Engraved J. C. Stadler.

A South East View of Mogodor.


1. Part of the Island of Mogodor.
2. A Ship entering the Port.
3. A Battery at the entrance of the Port.
4. Do. Do.
5. A Battery at the Landing Place.
6. Building over the Emperor’s Scale.
7. Emperor’s Coffee Alcove.
8. British Vice Consuls tower.
9. Mosque of the Citadel.
10. French Vice Consuls tower.
11. Spanish Vice Do.
12. Batavian Vice Do.
13. Entrance Port to the outer town.
14. Grand Mosque of Seedy Usif.
15. 16. & 17. Mosques.
18. Duquella Battery.
19. Duquella Gate.
20. Gate near the Sea.
21. Sandy Beach with loaded Camels approaching the town with the (Stata) or Convoy on
horseback.
22. Boat entering the passage.
23. Landing Place.
g
The windLondon
being high all the summer, with little intermission,
Published June 4. 1811. by G. & W. Nicholl Pall Mall.
nothing will grow here in sufficient quantity to supply the
inhabitants, all kinds of fruits and vegetables are therefore brought
from gardens from four to twelve miles distant; and the cattle and
poultry are also brought from the other side of the sandy hills,
where the country, although interspersed with (Harushe) stony
spots, is yet capable of producing every necessary of life. The
insulated situation of Mogodor, and the want of fresh water, which is
brought from the river a mile and a half distant, deprive the
inhabitants of all resource, except that of commerce, so that every
individual is supported directly or indirectly by it: in this respect it
differs from every other port on the coast. The island which lies
southward of the town is about two miles in circumference, between
which and the main-land is a passage of water, where the ships
anchor; but as there is but ten or twelve feet at ebb tide, ships of
war, or those of great burden, do not enter the port, but lie at
anchor about a mile and a half west of the (Skalla) Long Battery,
which extends along the west side of the town towards the sea. This
battery was constructed by a Genoese, and is perhaps more
remarkable for beauty than strength, and better calculated for
offensive than defensive operations. Proceeding southward, towards
the entrance of the road, we come to a circular battery, on which are
cannon and some mortars, besides a curious brass gun taken by
General Lord Heathfield, during the siege of Gibraltar: the carriage,
which is also of brass, is in the form of a lion, opens in the middle,
and contains the gun within it.[49] Underneath this Battery is an
extensive and copious mitfere, or cistern, into which the rain falls
from the flat roofs or terraces during the wet season, and is
sufficient to supply the garrison a twelvemonth.
Within the harbour, at the landing-place, are two long batteries
mounted with very handsome brass eighteen pounders, which were
presented to the Emperor Seedy Mohammed, by the Dutch
government. The town is defended on the landside by a battery of
considerable force to the eastward, and is fully adequate to keep the
Shelluhs and Arabs at a distance.
Plate 11.

Drawn by J. G. Jackson. Engraved J. C. Stadler.

North View of the Port of Mogodor taken on the


Terras of a House.
1. Vessel entering the Road.
2. Battery on the Island.
3. The Island.
4. Battery on the Island.
5. A Mosque on Do.
6. A Battery on Do.
7. A Bastion where the powder is deposited.
8. A long Battery mounted with brass Cannon.
9. Custom House Entrance.
10. Emperor’s Scale.
11. Warehouses.
12. Sandy Hills and Desert Country.
13. Battery near the River.
14. The Emperor’s Palace.
15. Village of Diabet.
16. Dwaria or Summer house, attached to the Emperor’s Palace.
17. Wall to prevent the encroachment of the Sea.
18. Battery on a Rocky ground, forming the North entrance to the port.
19. Cape Tegriwelt or Ossim.
20. Road for Shipping.
21. Battery where the State Prisoners are confined, previous to their transportation to the
Island.
Various
22. Sandy Beach.
opinions have been given of the strength of Mogodor by
the differentLondon
navalPublished
officersJunewho have
4. 1811. by W.visited it, Pall
& G. Nicholl andMall.
with whom I
have gone round the fortifications by permission of the Governor of
the citadel; I think the best one is, that if the works were all
completely mounted, and well manned, it would require six or seven
large frigates to capture, or rather destroy the place;[50] for if it
were entered by storm, a dreadful slaughter would be made among
the assailants by the inhabitants from the tops of the houses, every
house being a battery from whence the most destructive fire might
be kept up with small arms. This was the case when the Arabs of
Shedma, headed by their Sheiks, entered the town one Friday
afternoon after prayers.[51] The cause was this: some persons in the
town being dissatisfied with the Governor, who was a Bukarie black,
or slave, and not a (horreh) freeman, engaged the Bashaw of
Shedma[52] to enter the town with the chiefs of his province,
assuring him, the people were well disposed towards him, and
would, in the event of his forcing an entrance, give up the
government to him, thereby securing to the town the necessary
supplies of provisions, with which it had of late been but ill supplied,
owing to the enmity between the Alkaid of the town, and the
Bashaw of the neighbouring province. Things being mature for
execution, the army of Arabs secreted themselves behind the sand
hills in the hollows, about a mile from the town, whilst the Bashaw
and chiefs rode in, and reached the entrance gate, just as it was
opened after prayers, and secured the gate-keepers until about 17
or 18 of the chief Arabs of the province had passed into the town:
by this time the inhabitants made a desperate push, and got the
gate closed again; and the chiefs running about the streets, were
fired upon by the armed populace from the tops of the houses, until
the whole were killed. The Bashaw took refuge in an old house near
the Haha gate, and offered a large sum of money if they would
spare his life, but to no purpose; he was shot by the rabble. In the
mean time the scouts from the army secreted in the bottoms seeing
no signal from the town for their approach, were dismayed, and too
soon found it necessary to return to their homes, with the loss of the
flower of the province, the most undaunted warriors, who had so
often signalized themselves against their neighbours, the Abda and
Haha clans. The Arabs entered the town one by one, with fixed
bayonets, a very unusual thing in that country, and the whole was
conducted in so private a manner, that whilst I was walking round
the town with Mr. C. Layton, we met the Bashaw, who saluted us
(for he was attached to the English) and said we had nothing to fear,
that all would terminate to our satisfaction before the morning. As
the balls were flying in all directions, we went to the battery at the
landing-place, and there remained till the tumult was over; and
when we returned again into the town, were received by the
Governor with compliments of congratulation on our escape.
The houses at Mogodor are built as in other towns of the empire;
but those of the foreign merchants are more spacious, having from
eight to twelve rooms on a floor, which are square or long, and open
into a gallery which surrounds a court or garden in the interior of the
house, which, if occupied by merchants, is appropriated to the
packing and stowing of goods. The roofs are flat and beat down with
terrace, a composition of lime and small stones, and when this is
properly done, it will remain several years without admitting the rain,
provided it be washed over once every autumn with lime white-
wash: these terraces serve to walk on to take the air, and are
preferable to the walks out of the town, where there is nothing but
barren sands drifting with the wind. When, however, the trade-wind
does not blow strong, which is but seldom the case, during the
summer months, one may walk without being annoyed by the sand.
Mogodor has a very beautiful appearance at a distance, and
particularly from the sea, the houses being all of stone, and white:
but on entering the streets, which cross each other at right angles,
we are greatly disappointed, for they are narrow, and the houses
having few windows towards the street, they have a sombre
appearance.
In case of an attack, Mogodor would find some difficulty in
procuring water, which is brought from the river, about a mile and
half to the south, in jars and casks, by mules and asses.
The Emperor Seedy Mohammed, to impress on the minds of his
subjects, his desire to make Mogodor the principal commercial port
on the ocean, ordered the Bashaw Ben Amaran, and others of the
great officers about his person, to bring him mortar and stones,
whilst he with his own hands began to build a wall, which is still to
be seen on the rocks west of the town; and, in order to encourage
the merchants to erect substantial houses, he gave them ground to
build on, and allowed them to ship produce, free of duty, by way of
remuneration for their expenses. This is the only port which
maintains a regular and uninterrupted commercial intercourse with
Europe.
A winter seldom passes but some ships are driven ashore here by
the south-west winds, and this happens generally between the 12th
of December, and the 22d of January, the season called Liali by the
Arabs, and the only period dangerous to shipping in the bay.
Proceeding to the south along the coast, the next port we reach is
Agadeer, or Santa Cruz, called, in the time of Leo Africanus,
Guertguessem; it is the last port in the Emperor’s dominions, on the
shores of the Atlantic. The town, which stands on the summit of the
Atlas, is strong by nature, and almost impregnable; its walls are also
defended by batteries; but the principal battery is at a short distance
from the town, half way down the west declivity of the mountain,
and was originally intended to protect a fine spring of fresh water,
close to the sea; this battery also commands the approach to the
town, both from the north and south, and the shipping in the bay.
The town called by the Portuguese Fonté, and by the Shelluhs
Agurem, is still standing at the foot of the mountain towards the sea,
and the arms of that nation are yet to be seen in a building erected
over the spring. This town was appropriated to warehouses for the
merchants of Santa Cruz to deposit their effects during its
establishment.
Santa Cruz was walled round and strengthened by batteries in
1503, by Emanuel, king of Portugal, but it was taken from the
Portuguese by the Moors in 1536.
This place would make an excellent depot for the produce of
South America; the natural strength of the place, situated on the
summit of Atlas, would secure it from the attacks of the Shelluhs and
Arabs, who would soon become hospitable and friendly: they are
addicted to traffic. Plantations of olives, vines, dates, and oranges
abound in the adjacent country; it produces also gum, almonds,
copper, lead, salt-petre, and sulphur. Gold dust is brought here from
Soudan, silver from the adjacent mountains, and ambergris from the
coast to the southward.
The bay of Agadeer is probably the best road for vessels in the
empire, being large, deep, and well defended on every side from all
winds: a proof of this is, that during my three years residence there,
there was not a ship lost or injured. It abounds in exquisite fish,
immense quantities of which are caught by the inhabitants of the
town, and prepared in ovens, for transportation to the interior.[53]
In the reign of Muley Ismael, Agadeer was the centre of a very
extensive commerce, whither the Arabs of the Desert, and the
people of Soudan, resorted to purchase various kinds of
merchandize for the markets of the interior of Africa; and caravans
were constantly passing to and from Timbuctoo. The natural
strength of the place, however, its imposing situation, and capability
of resisting any force, excited the jealousy of the Emperors, which
was confirmed in 1773 by the inhabitants becoming refractory, and
Talb Solh, the governor, refusing to deliver it up. On learning this,
the Emperor Seedy Mohammed immediately levied an army, and
marched from Marocco against it; the place did not make a long
resistance, for the rebellious governor, finding it impossible to
withstand the imperial army, yielded to the persuasions of the chiefs
to accept an invitation the Emperor had sent him to come and
declare his allegiance, as on doing that he should receive his pardon;
he accordingly repaired to Tamaract,[54] but found, too late, that this
was only a stratagem to seize his person, as he was immediately
imprisoned; but procuring, by the assistance of a friend, a penknife,
which was sent to him, baked in a loaf of bread, he with this
terminated his existence, and the town soon after surrendered. The
merchants were allowed but a short time to collect together their
effects, when they were ordered to proceed to Mogodor, where the
Emperor, as before mentioned, encouraged them to build houses.
Beyond Santa Cruz there is no port frequented by shipping: there
is a tract of coast, however, which holds out great encouragement to
commercial enterprize, and secure establishments might be affected
upon it, which would amply remunerate the enterprizing speculator;
the people of Suse are also well disposed towards Europeans,
particularly the English; and the communication, and short distance,
between this place and the provinces, or districts, where most of the
valuable products of Barbary are raised, render it peculiarly adapted
to trade.
When curiosity induced me to visit this coast, I was invited by the
Amarani Arabs to establish a factory at a certain eligible place; the
Sheik offered to get a house built for me, free of expense, and
declared that all exports and imports should be regulated by a duty
of only two per cent. on the value; as he was, however, liable to be
shot, being a celebrated warrior, and as I was not sufficiently known
in England to procure the credit necessary to carry on
advantageously such an establishment, I thought it prudent at that
time to decline the overture. If, however, I had been able to procure
the same support from Europe that I should have had from the
natives and their Sheik, an eligible opportunity would have
presented itself to open an extensive and lucrative trade with the
interior, which in a short time would have supplied the whole of the
inland countries of North Africa with European manufactures and
produce.
From Santa Cruz southward the sovereignty of the Emperor
slackens, so that at Wedinoon it is scarcely acknowledged, and the
difficulty of passing an army over that branch of the Atlas which
separates Suse from Haha, secures to the Wedinoonees their
arrogated independence. There are but two roads yet discovered fit
for shipping between Santa Cruz and Cape Bojador, an extent of
coast, for the most part desert, of seventy leagues, the whole of
which is inhabited by various tribes of Arabs, who have emigrated at
different periods from the interior of Sahara, and pitched their tents
wherever they could find a spot capable of affording pasture to their
flocks. All along this dangerous and deceitful coast, there are rocks
even with, or very near, the surface of the water, over which the
waves break violently; and the rapidity of the currents, which
invariably set in towards the land, too often drive vessels ashore
here.[55]
In these southern climates the people are more superstitious than
in the northern provinces; the heat inflaming the imagination,
multiplies the number of fanatics, who under the name of Fakeers,
or saints, impose on the credulity of the people: they have but few
mosques, and therefore pray in the open air, or in their tents. Here
we see horses, camels, and other beasts, living together with men,
women, and children indiscriminately. When they are in want of
water for their religious ablutions, they substitute the use of sand.
These restless people are continually at war with their neighbours,
which originates in family quarrels; plunder keeps them incessantly
in motion, and they traverse the Desert to Soudan, Timbuctoo, and
Wangara, with as little preparation as we should make to go from
London to Hampstead.
Wedinoon is a kind of intermediate depot for merchandize on its
way to Soudan, and for the produce of Soudan going to Mogodor.
Gums and wax are produced here in abundance; and the people
living in independance, indulge in the luxuries of dress, and use
many European commodities. A great quantity of gold dust is bought
and sold at Wedinoon. They trade sometimes to Mogodor, but prefer
selling their merchandize on the spot, not wishing to trust their
persons and property within the territory of the Emperor of Marocco.
With Timbuctoo, however, they carry on a constant and
advantageous trade, and many of the Arabs are immensely rich;
they also supply the Moors of Marocco with (Statas) convoys
through the Desert, in their travels to Timbuctoo.
Some of the more enlightened merchants of Mogodor, towards
the close of the last century, had a great opinion of an establishment
somewhere on this coast, between the latitude of 27° and 30°
north; but a famine, and afterwards a most destructive plague,
added to various other incidents, conspired to prevent the execution
of the plan. It is certain that a very profitable commerce might be
carried on with these people; and most probably Bonaparte, if he
succeed in the final conquest of Spain, will turn his mind decidedly
to an extensive factory somewhere here, which (besides many
advantages, which existing circumstances prevent me explaining
here) would effectually open a direct communication with
Timbuctoo, and Soudan, and supply that immense territory with
European manufactures at the second hand, which they now receive
at the fifth and sixth.
Having said thus much about the coast, we will proceed to
describe the principal inland towns, viz. Marocco, Mequinas, Fas, and
Terodant.
Plate 12.

Drawn by J. G. Jackson. Engraved J. C. Stadler.

West View of the City of Marocco with the Mountains


of Atlas.
1 Circular encampment of Arabs Tents. 3 Grove of Palm of Date Trees.
2 Strait encampment of Arabs Tents. 4 D o. D o.
5 Atlas Mountains.

London Published June 4. 1811. by W. & G. Nicholl Pall Mall.

MAROCCO.

The city of Marocco is situated in a fruitful plain, abounding in


grain, and all the other necessaries of life, and depastured by sheep
and cattle, and horses of a superior breed, called (Sift Ain Toga) the
breed of Ain Toga. At a distance, the city has a beautiful and
romantic appearance, the adjacent country being interspersed with
groves of the lofty palm, and the towering snow-topped mountains
of Atlas, in the back-ground, seem to cool the parched and weary
traveller reposing in the plains; for although none
“Can hold a fire in his hand,
“By thinking on the frosty Caucasus;”
S hakspeare .

yet, in the sultry season, the traveller, by viewing these mountains,


experiences an agreeable sensation, difficult to be described. The lily
of the valley, the fleur-de-lis, lupins, roses, jonquils, mignonet,
jasmines, violets, the orange and citron flowers, and many others,
grow here spontaneously; and in the months of March and April, the
air in the morning, is strongly perfumed with their grateful and
delicious odours. The fruits are, oranges of the finest flavour, figs of
various kinds, water and musk melons, apricots, peaches, and
various kinds of grapes, pears, dates, plums, and pomgranates.
The city of Marocco was founded in the 424th year of the
Hejira[56] (1052) by Jusuf Teshfin, of the family of Luntuna, a tribe
of Arabs inhabiting the plains east of Atlas, on the way to Tafilelt;
and in the time of his grandson, Aly ben Yusif, it is said to have
contained a million of inhabitants; latterly, however, it has been
much depopulated, and owing to the devastations of succeeding
conquerors, retains little of its ancient magnificence; the
accumulated ruins of houses and gardens within the town, which
were once the sites of habitations, indicate its decay. It is
surrounded by extremely thick walls, formed of a cement of lime and
sandy earth,[57] put in cases, and beaten together with square
rammers. These walls were in many places broken and decayed, so
that horses might pass through them; but the breaches were
repaired previous to the siege and capture of the city by Muley
Yezzid, in February, 1792. Some of the houses are built with much
elegance and taste, but being all behind high walls, they are not
visible from the street; and these outer walls are of the rudest
construction, for every individual here is anxious to conceal his
wealth, and to impress the public and the State with an idea that he
is poor and distressed!
The imperial palace of Marocco, which faces Mount Atlas, is built
of hewn stone, ornamented with marble. It is not so magnificent a
building as that of Mequinas; the architecture of the principal gates
is Gothic, embellished with various ornaments in the Arabesque
taste; the walls of some of the rooms are of filligree-work, and
others of (ezzulia, or) glazed tiles, similar to the Chinese tiles, which
are fixed in the walls with much art, and have a cool effect. Three
gardens are attached to the palace, the first and largest is called
Jinen el Erdoua, the second Jinen el Afia, and the third, which is the
smallest, and situated at a private door, Jinen Nile, or the Garden of
the Nile, so named from its containing the fruits and plants of the
Nile, Timbuctoo, and Soudan, with many others, the produce of
Barbary. In the two former of these gardens, the Emperor allows the
foreign merchants to pitch their tents whenever they visit him, which
is generally every time he goes to Marocco, and in the Jinen Nile
they have their audience of business, that is, the second audience,
the first being an interview of ceremony, and the third, an audience
of leave to depart. The two first gardens abound with olives,
oranges, grapes of various kinds, apricots, peaches, pomgranates,
water-melons, citrons, limes, &c.; these, however, are surpassed in
richness by the Jinen Nile, the orange trees of which are small, but
very fruitful, and the flowers extremely odoriferous; the roses, in
particular, are unequalled, and matrasses are made of their leaves
for the men of rank to recline upon. In these gardens are (Kobba)
pavilions about forty feet square, with pyramidal roofs covered with
glazed tiles of various colours, and lighted from four lofty and
spacious doors, which are opened according to the position of the
sun; they are painted and gilt in the Arabesque style, and
ornamented with square compartments containing passages from
the Koran, in a sort of hieroglyphic character, or Arabic shorthand,
understood only by the first scholars. As the luxury and convenience
of tables, chairs, and curtains are unknown in this country, the
furniture of these apartments is very simple, consisting of a couple
of sofas or couches, some china, and tea equipage, a clock, a few
arms hung round the walls, a water-pot, and carpets to kneel upon
in prayers. Here the Emperor takes coffee or tea, and transacts
business with his courtiers.
The grand pavilion in the middle of the enclosure is appropriated
to the women; it is a very spacious building, and fitted up in the
same style of neatness and simplicity as the others.[58]
Near to the palace is (the M’shoar, or) Place of Audience, an
extensive quadrangle, walled in, but open to the sky, in which the
Emperor gives audience to his subjects, hears their complaints, and
administers justice.
In Marocco are many temples, sanctuaries, and mosques; of
these, the most curious is one in the middle of the city, called Jamâa
Sidi Yusif, built by a prince named Muley el Mumen, on the site of
one erected by Sidi Yusif, which the former destroyed with a view to
obliterate the latter prince’s name; in this, however, he was
disappointed, for though he expended great sums in the erection of
the present building, and called it after himself, for the purpose of
transmitting his own name to posterity, yet the people continued to
call it by the old name, which it retains to the present time.
There is another mosque, said to have been built by Muley el
Monsore;[59] the body of it is supported by many pillars of marble,
and under it is a (mitfere) cistern, which holds a large quantity of
water, collected in the rainy season, and used by the Mohammedans
for their ablutions. The tower is square, and built like that of Seville
in Spain, and the one near Rabat already described;[60] the walls are
four feet thick, and it has seven stories, in each of which are
windows, narrow on the outside, but wide within, which renders the
interior light and airy: the ascent is not by stairs, but by a gradually
winding terrace composed of lime and small stones, so firmly
cemented together as to be nearly as hard as iron. On the summit of
the tower is a turret in the form of a square lantern, hence called
(Smâa el Fannarh) the Lantern Tower, which commands a most
extensive prospect, and from whence Cape Cantin, distant about 120
miles, is distinctly visible. The roofs of the different chambers in this
building, which are all quadrangular, are very ingeniously vaulted:
and indeed the whole workmanship is of the most excellent kind.
Prayers are performed here every Friday in presence of the Emperor.
That part of the city adjoining this edifice is quite a heap of ruins.
There is another tower in the city, which may be mentioned, from
the circumstance of its having three golden balls on its top, weighing
together, it is said, 10 quintals, equal to 1205 lbs. avoirdupois.
Several kings, when in want of money, have, it is said, attempted to
take them down, but without success, as they are very firmly and
artfully fixed; the superstitious people say they are fixed by magic,
that (jin) a spirit guards them from all injury, and that all those who
have attempted their removal, were soon after killed.[61] There is a
tradition, that the wife of Muley el Mumen, desirous of ornamenting
the temple built by her husband, caused these globes to be made of
the gold melted down from the jewels which the king gave her.
At the extremity of the city, towards the Atlas, and near the
imperial palace, is the department for the Jews, called El Millah, the
gates of which are shut at night: these people have an Alkaid
appointed over them, to whom they apply for protection against
insult: they pay a certain tribute or poll-tax, (called Elgazia), to the
Alkaid; they are for the most part rich; but from motives of policy,
under this despotic government, they endeavour to appear poor,
miserable, and dirty. Not more than two thousand Jewish families
now reside here, great numbers having been induced, from various
causes, to emigrate to the adjacent mountains, where they are free
from taxation.
In this quarter stands the Spanish convent, which, till lately, was
inhabited by two or three friars; but it is now deserted.
The Kasseria, or department for trade, is an oblong building,
surrounded with shops of a small size, filled with silks, cloths, linens,
and other valuable articles for sale. Here the people resort to
transact business, hear the news, &c. much in the same manner as
is done on the exchanges of European towns; and independent
gentlemen, who have no occupation at court, often hire one of these
shops, merely for the purpose of passing the morning here in
conversation on politics, and other subjects.
The principal gates of Marocco are the Beb El Khumise and Beb
Duquella; the former takes its name from a market called Soke El
Khumise, or the fifth day’s market, or Thursday’s market, where
horses, cattle, and all kinds of merchandize are bought and sold; the
latter, or Duquella Gate, takes its name from the province of that
name. Besides these, there is the Gate of the Millah, the Gate of the
Luksebba, or palace, and two or three other gates.
The city of Marocco is supplied with water from numerous wells
and springs amongst the different olive plantations, and the rich
procure it from the river Tensift, which flows at a short distance from
the city: this water is very salubrious, and anti-bilious, and is drank
in cases of indigestion. There is also a subterraneous aqueduct built
of brick, which surrounds the town, twenty feet below the surface,
and from which, at about every hundred yards, pipes of brick-work
branch off, and convey the water into the different houses; over
each of these branches are excavations from the surface, through
which persons descend to repair any injuries below; but this
aqueduct is now much neglected, and out of repair.
This city being now on the decline, little can be said of its
cleanliness; the streets are mostly filled with ruins of houses which
have gone to decay; and in the Millah, or Jews’ quarter, heaps of
dung and other filth are seen, as high as the houses. The Moors,
however, from a natural desire of cleanliness, in which the Jews are
scandalously deficient, pay more attention to the streets in which
they reside. The houses of the Alkaids, Shereefs, or nobles, and
other military officers, are lofty, spacious, and strongly built, with a
turret in the middle, or on one side, where the women take the air,
and pass the evening in fresco. The rest of the houses being almost
all old, they swarm with vermin, particularly bugs, which, in the
summer season, are literally a plague, the walls being covered with
them; at this period also, the inhabitants are much annoyed with
scorpions, which are frequently found in the beds, and other places;
[62]to these may be added the domestic serpent, but this is rather
considered as an object of veneration, than a nuisance.[63]
The air about Marocco is generally calm; the neighbouring
mountains of Atlas defend the plain in which it stands from the
scorching Shume, or hot wind (which blows from Tafilelt and
Sahara), by arresting its progress, and the snow with which they are
always covered, imparts a coolness to the surrounding atmosphere;
in summer, however, the heat is intense, though the nights during
that period are cool; in winter the cold is very sensibly felt: but the
climate is altogether extremely healthy. The inhabitants, particularly
the Jews, are, however, affected with ophthalmia.
On the death of Aly ben Yusif, a private individual named El
Meheddi, a man of ambitious character, sprung up in the Atlas
mountains, and levying a large army, proceded to Marocco, and laid
siege to the town, which was then commanded by Muley Bryhim,
successor to Aly ben Yusif, who collecting his forces, marched out to
give El Meheddi battle; but being completely overpowered and
defeated, he fled to Imsmise in the Atlas east of Marocco. El
Meheddi not satisfied with his escape, ordered his general in chief to
pursue him with one half of his numerous army, whilst he took
possession of Marocco with the other; the general pursued the King
so closely, that he arrived immediately after him at Oran, where the
latter, finding no support, and being driven to despair, mounted his
horse in the night, and placing his queen behind him, rode out of the
place, and clapping spurs to the horse, passed over a precipice, and
was, together with his queen, dashed to pieces. His body being
discovered, the general, who was a prince, and named Muley el
Mamune, returned with the army to the city of Marocco, where, on
his arrival, finding El Meheddi dead, and succeeded by his son, he
attacked the city, and after a year’s siege took it; irritated at being
so opposed, he put El Meheddi’s son to death, and a dreadful
massacre of the army and citizens ensued, after which he was
proclaimed Sultan and Amer el Mumenine,[64] and established the
first Diwan, which consisted of ten men learned in the Arabic
language, and in the laws of the Koran. This El Mamune’s posterity
reigned at Marocco from the 516th to the 668th year of the Hejira,
[65] and then were dispossessed by a king of the tribe of Marin,
whose posterity reigned with despotic sway till the year 785 of the
Hejira.

MEQUINAS.

The city of Mequinas stands in a beautiful valley about sixty miles


from Salée, near the sanctuary of Muley Dris Zerone; and is
surrounded by gentle eminences, and highly cultivated vales,
ornamented with plantations of dates, grapes, figs, pomgranates,
oranges, olives, &c., all which grow in abundance, the surrounding
country being well watered by various springs and streams.
This city owes its present extent and consequence to the Sultan
Muley Ismael, who, after having secured to himself the undisputed
sovereignty of the small kingdoms which now form the empire of
Marocco, determined, in order to keep his people in more complete
subjection, to have two imperial cities, and in consequence made
Marocco the capital of the south, and Mequinas that of the north; he
at the same time considerably enlarged the city to the westward,
and erected a beautiful palace, which is defended by two bastions
mounted with a few guns of small calibre.
In the plain, on that side of the city towards the Atlas mountains,
is a wall of circumvallation about six feet in height, which was built
as a defence against the Berebbers, whose attacks, though
impetuous, are momentary, and do not require a long defence.
Muley Ismael, and his successor, Muley Abdallah, have repeatedly
defended themselves in this city against these people, when, in
attempting to bring them under their yoke, they have been routed,
and their armies pursued to its very walls.
At the south end of the city stands the palace (which encloses the
Horem, or seraglio), a very extensive quadrangular edifice, built by
Ismael, after his own design; it contains several gardens admirably
laid out, and watered by numerous streams from the adjacent
country. I obtained permission to view this building from the
Emperor’s brother, as no person is suffered to enter it without leave.
In the centre of the enclosure is the horem, within which is a
spacious garden, planted with tall cypress trees; it is surrounded by
a gallery, supported by columns, which communicates with the
adjoining apartments, the largest of which are appropriated to the
women (the smaller rooms being for the eunuchs and female
attendants), and terminate in a hall, or large chamber, built on a
causeway which divides the gardens; here the females look through
the iron-latticed windows, and take the air, which, in the summer, is
perfumed with the smell of violets, jasmines, roses, wild thyme, and
other delectable odours. The palace is also interspersed with
buildings called Kobbah, which contain a spacious square room, the
roof of which is pyramidical, and on the inside curiously carved and
ornamented with painting and gilding.
This extensive palace is rendered more spacious by being built
altogether on the ground floor; the rooms are long and lofty, but
narrow, being about 12 feet wide, 18 high, and 25 long; the walls
are inlaid with glazed tiles of bright colours, which give an air of
coolness to the apartments; and the light is communicated by means
of two large folding doors, which are opened, more or less,
according to the degree of light required in the room. Between the
different suites of apartments are courts regularly paved with
squares of black and white marble; and in the centre of some of
these stands a marble fountain.
The Millah, or that part of the city inhabited by the Jews, is walled
round, and is extensive, and in good repair. Many of the Jews live in
affluence.
Contiguous to the Millah is another enclosure called the Negroes’
quarter, built by Ismael for the residence of the families of his black
troops;[66] of this, however, nothing remains but the walls.
In this city was an hospitium, or convent of Spanish monks,
founded about a century since by the king of Spain, for the relief
and spiritual comfort of Catholic captives, and Christian travellers.
This convent, and that at Marocco, were much respected by the
Mooselemin, from the essential service afforded by the monks to the
poor, whom they used to supply with medicines gratis; but, after a
long practice, they found their prescriptions were grossly abused by
the Moors, who took them without any regard to regimen; they were
therefore obliged to make a general medicine for all applicants,
composed of a decoction of simples with honey, and this they
denominated the dua sheriff, or princely remedy. This convent was
deserted by the monks previous to the accession of Soliman, the
present Emperor.
The streets of Mequinas are not paved, and on this account it is a
very disagreeable place in winter, as the rains cause the mud to
accumulate, which renders walking abroad very unpleasant. The
inhabitants are extremely hospitable: they invite strangers to their
gardens, and entertain them sumptuously: indeed, the manners of
the people in this part of the empire, are more mild, perhaps, than
in any other.
Nature seems to have favoured the women of Mequinas, for they
are handsome without exception, and to a fair complexion, with
expressive black eyes, and dark hair, they unite a suavity of manners
rarely to be met with even in the most polished nations of Europe.

FAS.

This city (which is divided into old and new, called Fas Jedide, and
Fas El Bâlee) is the most celebrated in West Barbary; it was founded
about the 185th year of the Hejira (A.C. 786) by Idris,[67] a
descendant of Mohammed. It stands for the most part upon gentle
hills, except the centre, which is low, and in winter very wet and
dirty. It is not so extensive as Marocco, but the houses being more
lofty and spacious, it contains more inhabitants. The houses have
flat roofs ingeniously worked in wood, and covered with terrace, on
which the inhabitants spread carpets in summer, to recline upon,
and enjoy the cool breezes of the evening; a small turret, containing
a room or two, is also erected upon them for the use of the females
of the family, who resort thither for amusement and pastime. In the
centre of each house is an open quadrangle surrounded by a gallery,
which communicates with the staircase, and into which the doors of
the different apartments open; these doors are both wide and lofty,
and are made of curiously carved wood painted in various colours.
The beams of the roofs of the different apartments are whimsically
painted with gay colours in the arabesque style. The portals of the
houses are supported with pillars of brick plaistered over. The
principal houses have (Mitferes) cisterns under them, containing
water used in the baths, which are built of marble or stone. Every
house is also supplied with water from a river which rises in the
Atlas, and enters the town in various places by covered channels.
The hospitals, colleges, and houses of the great and wealthy have,
withinside, spacious courts, adorned with sumptuous galleries,
fountains, basons of fine marble, and fish-ponds, shaded with
orange, lemon, pomgranate, and fig trees, abounding with fruit, and
ornamented with roses, hyacinths, jasmine, violets, and orange
flowers, emitting a delectable fragrance.
In the city are a great number of mosques, sanctuaries, and other
public buildings; about fifty of these are very sumptuous edifices,
being ornamented with a kind of marble, unknown in Europe,
procured in the Atlas mountains.[68]
The maintenance of professors and students in the mosques, has
lately become very scanty, the wars having destroyed many of the
possessions by which learning was promoted. The students are
mostly employed in reading the Koran; if any one read a text which
he does not understand, the professor explains it to him in public; at
other times they dispute among themselves, and the professor
finally explains the passage.
A public bath is attached to each mosque, for religious ablutions;
there are also public baths in various parts of the town, whither the
common people resort;[69] the men at one hour and the women at

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