INTRODUCTIOX. VU

cochineal and saffron; the returns were, fine

Indian muslins** for turbans, raw silk, musk,

and gebalia^y a fine perfume that resembles

black paste.

He made a great profit by his traffic at Tim-

buctoo and Housa ; but, lie says, money gained among the Negroes^ has not the blessing of God on it, but vanishes away without benefit

to the owner; but, acquired in a journey to

Mecca, proves fortunate, and becomes a per- manent acquisition.

On his return with his father from Mecca,

they settled at Tetuan, and often carried cattle,

poultry, &c. to Gibraltar ; his father passed the

last fifteen years of his life at Gibraltar, and

died there about the year 1793. He was born

at Mequinas ; his family is descended from the

tribe of Shabban ^, which possesses the country

The slippers are also manufactured from leather made from

goat-skins, at Fas and at Mequinas. The cochineal is im-

ported from Spain, although the opuntia, or the tree that

nourishes the cochineal-fly, abounds in many of the pro-

vinces of West Barbary, particularly in the province of Suse. The saffron abounds in the Atlas mountains in Lower Suse, and is used in most articles of food by the Muhamedans.

d Muls.

•^ Gehalia resembles frankincense, or Gum Benjamin, and

is used for fumigations by the Africans.

*" Being idolaters.

8 Shaban is (probably) a tribe of the Howara Arabs, who

possess the beautiful plains and fine country situated between

the city of Terodant and the port of Santa Cruz. There is an

emigration of the Mograffra Arabs, who are in possession of A 4