an Abyssinian or Ethiopic word, signifying a rock. The Abyssinians give names to each of their rocks, as Amba-Dorbo, the rock of a hen, &c. Some of these rocks are said to have the name of Aorni; and are of such a stupendous height, that the Alps and Pyrenees are but low hills in comparison of them. Amongst the mountains, and even frequently in the plains, of this country, arise steep and craggy rocks of various forms, some resembling towers, others pyramids, &c. so perpendicular, and smooth on the sides, that they seem to be works of art; inasmuch, that men, cattle, &c. are craned up by the help of ladders and ropes: and yet the tops of these rocks are covered with woods, meadows, fountains, fishponds, &c. which very copiously supply the animals fed thereon with all the conveniences of life. The most remarkable of these rocks is called Amba-Geshen. It is prodigiously steep, in the form of a castle built of free-stone, and almost impregnable. Its summit is about half a Portuguese league in breadth, and the circumference at the bottom about half. AMBAGES half a day's journey. The ascent at first is easy; but grows afterwards so steep, that the Abaffeine oxen, which will otherwise clamber like goats, must be craned up, and let down with ropes. Here the princes of the blood were formerly confined, in low cottages amongst shrubs and wild cedars, with an allowance barely sufficient to keep them alive. There is, according to Kircher, in this country, a rock so curiously hollowed by nature, that at a distance it resembles a looking-glass; and opposite to this, another, on the top of which nothing can be so softly whispered but it may be heard a great way off. Between many of these rocks and mountains, are vast abysses, which appear very dreadful to the eye.