are employed as centinels.
Housa having a great trade, is much frequented by people from
Bambarra, Foulan, Jinnie, and the interior countries.

Manufactures and husbandry are similar to those at Timbuctoo.

[Footnote 85: Bengal, or the East Indies.]

[Footnote 86: Properly Ben Ekkilleb, or Hel Ekkileb, i.e. the
canine-race. These are described to be swift of foot and low of
stature, having a language peculiar to themselves.]

[Footnote 87: About the 1790th year of the Christian era.]

[Footnote 88: In the year 1795.]

CLIMATE.

The hot winds blow from the east; the summer is hotter than in
48 Marocco, and hotter at Timbuctoo than at Housa. The cold winds are
from the west: the morning fog is great. He never saw it rain at
Housa, in the course of two years; he says it never rains there.
Scarcity is never known. A considerable part of their provisions is
brought from the banks of the Nile; the river, when overflowing,
never reaches above half way from its common channel towards Housa.
They have excellent wells in their houses, but no river near the
town.

ZOOLOGY.

He saw no camels at Housa, but heard, they use them to fetch gold,
and cover their legs with leather, to guard them from snakes. They
have dogs and cats, but no scorpions or snakes in their houses.
Lice, bugs, and fleas abound. He saw no wild animals or fowl in the
neighbourhood of Housa.

DISEASES.

Physicians agree with the patient for his cure. No cure no pay. The
prevailing diseases are colds and coughs.

RELIGION.

The same as at Timbuctoo; the poorer classes, as in most countries,
have many superstitious notions of spirits, good and bad, and are
alarmed by dreams, particularly, the slaves, some of whom cannot
retain their urine in the night, as he thinks, from fear of
49 spirits, they take them often upon trial when they buy them, and if
they have this defect, a considerable deduction is made in the
price. A man possessed by a good spirit is supposed to be safe
amidst 10,000 shot. A man guilty of a crime, who in the opinion of
the judge is possessed by an evil spirit, is not punished! He never
heard of a rich man being possessed.

PERSONS.

They are of various sizes, but the tallest man he ever saw was at
Housa