48 HOUSA.

Timbuctoo than at Housa. The cold winds are from the west : the morning fog is great. He never saw it rain at Housa, in the course of two years 5 he says it never rains there. Scarcity is never known. A considerable part of their provisions is brought from the banks of the Nile ; the river, when overflowing, never reaches above half way from its common channel towards Housa. They have excellent wells in their houses, but no river near the town.

ZOOLOGY. He saw noamels at Housa, but heard, they use them to fetch gold, and cover their legs with leather, to guard them from snakes. They have dogs and cats, but no scorpions or snakes in their houses. Lice, bugs, and fleas abound. He saw no wild animals or fowl in the neiglibourhood of Housa.

DISEASES.

Physicians agree with the patient for his cure. No cine no pay. The prevaiUng diseases are colds and coughs.

RELIGION.

The same as at Timbuctoo ; the poorer classes, as in most countries, have many superstitious notions of spirits, good and bad, andan alarmed by dreams, particularly, the slaves, some of whom cannot retain their urine in the night, as he thinks, from fear of spirits, they take them V