HOUSA. 45 mse. He has no well-bred mares. Their arms are the same as at Timbuctoo ; the muskets, which are matchlocks, are made in the country. They are very dexterous in throwing the lance. Gunpowder is also manufactured there ; the brimstone is brought from Fas ; the charcoal they make ; and he believes they prepare the nitre.* Their arrows are feathered and barbed ; the bows are all cross-bows, with triggers ; the arrows, 20 to 40 in a quiver, are made of hides, and hang on the left side. The king never goes to war in person. The soldiers have a peculiar dress ; their heads are bare ; but the officers have a kind of turban ; the soldiers have a shirt of coarse white cotton, and yellow slippers ; those of the officers are red. Some have turbans adorned with gold. They carry their powder in a leather purse ; the match, made of cotton, is wound round the gun ; they have flint and steel in a pouch, and also spare matches.

THE TRADK Is similar to that of Timbuctoo ; in both places foreign merchants always employ agents, or brokers, to trade to advantage ; a man should reside sometime before he begins. Ivory is sold by the tooth ; he bought one, weighing SOO lb.

for five ducats (1/. 5s.); he sold it in Marocco for 25 ducats, per 100 lb. ; it is now ™worth 60.

' The saltpetre and brimstone are probably derived from Terodant in Suse, where both abound.

"» A,D. 1795.