Tedla, a rich province bordering on Atlas, north of Marocco, abounds in sheep, whose wool is so fine, that no silk is softer: it is used in the manufacture of caps, worn by the opulent, and is sold at Fas for a very high price: its exportation being prohibited, it is consumed by the inhabitants. A breed of these sheep would be an acquisition in Europe, and they might be procured. The average price of a fleece of wool in Barbary is (wahud drahim) one ounce, or five-pence English, that of a sheep is one Mexico dollar. Wool was, till lately, exported to Europe; particularly to Marseilles, and other ports in the Mediterranean, to Amsterdam, Hamburgh, and London, but a very inferior quality being sent to the latter place, it got a bad name; the demand, however, from other places was so great, that the Emperor had representations made to him, that wearing apparel of the Barbary manufacture was rising in value, in consequence of the unlimited exportation of wool, and an order was accordingly issued, prohibiting it, the Emperor, to gratify his people, assuring them that for the future he would not suffer it to be carried out of the country.
Goats.—Every lady in England has contributed to the Emperor of Marocco’s treasury, by consuming the leather which is made from the skin of the goat; that denominated Spanish leather being prepared from the Marocco goat skins.
The goats of Africa are very prolific, particularly those of Tafilelt, which is one cause of such an immense number being exported: the duty on this article of commerce forms a considerable part of the custom-house revenue. They have young twice a year, and often one goat is followed by six or seven kids of her own, the production of nine months.
The goats of the Arab province of Shedma, and the Shelluh province of Haha, are the finest in West Barbary, but the Tafilelt goats, as before observed, surpass them in size and quality; their milk is richer and more abundant; their meat more delicate, particularly when young.
The (jild Filelly) Tafilelt leather, is the softest and the finest in the world, and much superior to that of Marocco, or even to that of Terodant: soft and pliable as silk, it is impervious to water. The tanners of Tafilelt use the leaves of a shrub called tizra, which grows in the Atlas mountains; this, it is pretended, gives their leather that peculiar softness for which it is so much esteemed; this however is doubtful, as the tanners, above all people, are cautious of discovering to strangers their art of tanning. Some quality in the air and water possibly may contribute to give the leather that extraordinary pliability.
REPTILES, INSECTS, SERPENTS, &c.
The Camelion.—Tatta is the Arabic, and Tayuh the Shelluh name for this extraordinary and complicated animal; its head resembles that of a fish, the body that of a beast, the tail that of a serpent, and the legs and feet are somewhat similar to the arms and hands of a human being; the tongue is pointed like that of a serpent, and is so instantaneous in its motion, that the human sight can scarcely perceive it when it darts it out to the length of its body, to catch flies (its ordinary food); in doing this it never misses its mark, so that I imagine there must be some glutinous substance which attaches the fly to the tongue, or else it pierces the insect with its point, which is very sharp. I have often admired the velocity with which the camelion thus secures its food, but never could discover whether it were to be attributed to the former, or the latter cause. It is partly nourished by the sun and air; it delights to bask in the sun with its mouth open, to receive the heat of its rays.
| Drawn by J. G. Jackson. | Engraved J. C. Stadler. |
(Tûta) The Chamælion; Natural Size