TEsset, a part of Numidia, a Countrey in the Wide-spreading Sus, * 1.1 is so call'd from a City near the Borders of Nun towards the Lybian De∣sart, twenty nine Degrees and ten Minutes Northern Latitude.
This Countrey on one side for threescore miles lieth desolate, without any Inhabitants. The Town is well fortifi'd with Brick-Walls, which become hard onely by baking in the Sun, and containeth about four hundred Fami∣lies; but in the adjacent Fields, scatter'd about are at least twelve thousand.
¶ THis Territory is full of Sandy Plains, except in one Spot near the City, in which grow many Dates, Barley, and Tares, which the In∣habitants use for Food. There are also a few Camels, Horses, and small Cattel.
¶ THe Inhabitants are hard-favor'd, very brown, and much tann'd; * 1.2 but the Women are of clearer Complexions. They drive a great Trade in Negro-Land and Guzule, so that for the most part they reside out of their own Countrey. They plow their Ground with a single Camel, and one Horse; which manner of Tillage is us'd through all Numidia. They are a Rustick People, and know nothing of Letters, onely Women educate their Children; yet as soon as they are of any Growth, they turn them to Plough, and so farewell all their Female Scholarship. Some learn to read, others Spin and Card, and the rest spend their time altogether in Idleness.
Most of the Inhabitants are of mean Estates; the Richest of them possess onely a few Cattel. They are under the Contribution of the Arabians, call'd Udaya, or Uled Vodey, which reside in the Lybian Wilderness.