CAPITAL OF KORDOFAN; LOBEID. 271 amination of his fellow creature, as we should examine a head of cattle, in Europe ; he looks at his teeth, eyes, hands, and feet, and inquires into his age, place of birth, and in short, into every circumstance which might influence his price while the unfortunate wretch follows the crier like a dog, anxiously awaiting his future fate. A mother may not be separated from the infant at her breast, but children of three or four years of age may be disposed of separately ; the latter are very reasonable; their price varies only from thirty to sixty piasters (eight and sixpence to seventeen shillings). Full-grown slaves fluctuate according to the supply of the market ; girls and boys from ten to fifteen years of age, are in the greatest request, and cost from one hundred to three hundred piasters ; if there be few for sale, and many Djelabi are about to travel to Cairo, the price, of course, rises. There are certain conditions under which a slave may be returned to the vender, e. g. if he have offensive breath, or snore in his sleep, or be troubled with incontinence of urine, for any one of these vices he may be sent back at the expiration of the third day ; should a female slave be pregnant, the term is somewhat prolonged. The slave-trade is not always carried on in retail, for the Djelabi buy slaves in lots ; on these occasions, however, the indiduals are singly examined, and the aged and infirm are separated from the flock.

The chief object is to have as many young girls and boys as possible in a lot, and to be able to transport