Glass armlets, of black and blue, made at Venice.
Powder, flints, and lead in bullets, sell quickly.
Muslins. For the chiefs to make shirts or turbans.
Bales of linen. Thread, and gold thread, which the natives sometimes spin, mixing it with their cotton cloths.
Sundries. Such as files, chisels, and hammers; a few perfumes, little boxes, and toys; all of which can be procured in Europe for a mere trifle.
Nearly the whole of these articles are brought from Tripoli or Egypt, and are very dear even in Morzouk. We had none of these goods, which alone are objects of trade in the interior.
In Exchange for which the Traders bring from Soudan,
Slaves. Chiefly females, the males not being worth so much money by nearly one-third, or sometimes one-half; are the principal goods brought by the dealers.
Zebed (civet.) Obtained from the cats which are kept in cages, and are at stated periods irritated to such a degree, that a profuse perspiration takes place, and the perfume is secreted in some folds under the tail; which, by securing the animal, they scrape off, and preserve in small boxes made of hide. A savage old cat will produce ten or twelve dollars’ worth in three heats. Their price is enormous, some being sold for three or four slaves.
Zeneh. A striped cotton petticoat, worn as a wrapper by all the women: the patterns are various; some are very handsome, both in the arrangement of the colours and in the workmanship.