THE KUBBABEESH. 133 of sight and hearing are so acute and quick, that they can distinguish, at the greatest distance, objects which an European could only see with the aid of a telescope ; they can even at night-time perceive camels at long distances, seldom deceiving themselves in the estimation of their numbers ; they are, therefore, invaluable to the government in the transport of the various products of the country, and to the caravans passing through the country, in general, they are almost indisi)ensable. Their sheikhs, who, I may say, are lords and masters, consider their subjects as their serfs, and treat them accordingly.

This race of men is already much contaminated by mixing with negro women. The sheikhs make a considerable profit by furnishing travellers with camels ; the more so as their expenses on the road may be considered a mere trifle, for they find the food for their camels on the road-side, and the drivers receive only a little flour for bread, (which, however, they do not bake daily,) or dockn, a small quantity of which they boil in water and call belilleh. With a small bag of these hard pills they undertake the longest journeys, and will bear hunger and thirst for an astonishing length of time.

Locusts they consider a delicacy. The head, wings, and first joints of the hind-legs of the insect are torn ofi, and the body, spitted on a wooden skewer, is roasted over the coals. At first I could not make ii|) my mind to taste these insects, but two woful days, many of which may be passed in Africa, at