ADMINISTRATION OF THE MELLESTINE 143 him confirmed during good behaviour in certain powers, and on occasion superseded by his appointment, it would be necessary to make some fairly ample provision for their revenues. A certain semi-independence on their part would seem to be argued by the fact that when the Tuaregs took Timbuctoo from Melle in 1434, they confirmed the existing Timbuctoo Koi in his powers. At one time there were thirty-six Kois in the empire of Melle. As the empire extended it is probable that their number may have increased, and, at a later period, as the central government weakened, the power and self-assertion of the Kois grew, and contributed, doubtless, to the disruption of the empire. Unfortunately, though the finances of the country in the middle of the fourteenth century would appear to have been flourishing, no special accounts have been left to us of the revenue or system of taxation. We can only assume from incidental allusions that taxation continued to be based, as in the kingdom of Ghana, on a system of royalties on minerals and taxes on foreign merchandise.

We hear of the great wealth of the country and of the kings, but we get no hint from Batuta of taxation which was felt to be oppressive by the people. He mentions that Mansa Suleiman was unpopular because of his avarice, but this would appear to apply rather to his personal thriftiness than to any system of government. A narrative which abounds in anecdote, and is not animated by any sentiment of friendliness for the government, would have been likely to incorporate any instance of oppression which reached the author's ears. But, after a residence of several months in the country, Ibn Batuta not only brings forward none ; his evidence is given in a contrary direction.

The judicial system of the country, though not described in detail, would seem to have been carefully and fully organised. The frequent reference which is made in all chronicles to judges, black and white, to lawyers and jurisconsults, indicates that men of this profession occupied a very prominent position in the social organisa-