90 Senndr.

Banks of Blue Nile.

Harvests.

characteristic of the climate are the Deleb palm and the Baobab, which latter and the tamarind make their first appearance at Kamlin, increasing in nnmbers southward, till two days' journey above Sennar they shade the lounging place of every village. The plain around Sennar town is destitute of trees, and though naturally prolific, rarely exhibits any luxuriant vegetation.

For six or seven months of the year Sennar offers the aspect of a sterile waste. But as soon as rain falls, the arid and dreary waste becomes a sea of mire, and on this, without any preparation, is sown the dhura (Sorghum vulgar'e), the characteristic produce of Sennar.

In three months and a half, or towards the end of October, the whole place is covered with ripe grain, and the harvest is gathered.

Below Messalamieh, where the river here and there rises above the bank, and irrigation is carried on, the crops are somewhat earlier.

Near Khartum, the extensive inundated tracts on the White Nile are sown, on the retirement of the floods, with kidney beans, and afterwards with dhura.

The inhabitants only cultivate a very small portion of the soil, and yet a good harvest is sufficient to provide for the wants of two or three years.

The principal crops are dhura, beans, lentils, tobacco. On the plains about the Dinder, cotton and sesame are grown without trouble. In gardens, watered every day, the pomegranate, lemon, fig, &c, are found, covered with fruit or flowers at all seasons. The vine, banana, onion, water-melon, and other vegetables are also cultivated.

In Sennar, dhura used to be sold for 20 to 25 piastres the ardeb, or about 35. to 5s. per 100 lbs.

The Kalaba, or small merchants, collect and transport it on donkeys for distances of seven or eight days' journey from their localities.

Inhabitants.

The population is very mixed, and no traveller has succeeded in determining distinctly the aboriginal race.

According to Cailliaud six classes may be readily distinguished :—