fferently from other rugs; it is the coarsest of all, and the
women weave it on the ground. To make it firm enough to keep out every
drop of rain requires laborious work with the fingers, but when the
cloth is woven with care it is a most excellent shelter from the storm.
A large Paul's Tent, such as a rich man owns, costs about four hundred
dollars. It shelters the women of the household, as well as the cattle;
and one part is partitioned off for a guest-room.

In Turkey the floor is always covered with matting, and the matting, in
its turn, is so closely covered with rugs as to be quite concealed. In
large cities rugs are used in the Summer for divan and couch covers; in
the Winter the same rugs serve as beds.

Constantinople is the greatest rug market in the world. Every known
nation is represented in that wonderful city, where the ancient
industrial skill of Asia meets the steadily increasing demands of the
West. Nothing can be more interesting to the rug-lover than to wander
through the streets and byways, observing the different phases of his
favorite industry. The Custom House, where enormous bales of rugs await
transportation; the great warehouses, which handle only at wholesale;
the bazaars, and even the street vendors, possess each an absorbing
interest. The travelling merchants from Persia, who yearly journey to
Constantinople, establish themselves in that busy section of the city
known as Stamboul. Here they erect their khans, covering the walls and
floors with rugs, many of which are really splendid in tone and quality.
The large retail houses at Constantinople usually have collections of
very choice rugs.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CERTAIN TURKISH RUGS

Akhissar rugs have a thick pile, and are loosely woven. Their colors are
usually red and green. Rugs of mohair are made at Akhissar.

_Anatolia_, or Asia Minor, produces both rugs and mats of good quality.
The Anatolian rug is large and very heavy. The Anatolian mats are made
in large numbers, and are very thick and soft. They are used by the
natives for pillows. Some are very beautiful; and although many are
turned out with aniline dyes, many others are splendidly colored with
vegetable dyes. The designs are many and varied.

_Bergamo_ (ancient Pergamos) rugs have a long, silky pile, and are
almost square. They are quite thick, and have geometrical figures in the
centre, while the borders are floral in effect. The colors are rich,
generally yellow, green,