to be placed upon tbe announcement; therefore, all
merchants are afraid not only of delay, but of high
warehouse charges at Souakim. The latter port is
only four days’ steaming from Suez, and, being the
most central depbt for all merchandise both to and
from Upper Egypt, it would become a point of great
importance were regular means of transport established.
Cotton of excellent quality might be grown to an
unlimited amount in the provinces of Upper Egypt,
and could be delivered at Souakim at a trifling cost
of transport. A large quantity of gum arabic
is collected throughout this country, which sells in
Cassala at 20 piastres (4s. 2d) the cantar of 100 lbs.
There are three varieties, produced from various
mimosas; the finest quality is gathered in the province
of Kordofan, but I subsequently met with large
quantities of this species in the Base country. Senna
grows wild in the deserts, but the low price hardly
pays for the cost of collection. There are several
varieties; that with extremely narrow and sharp-
pointed leaves is preferred. It grows in sandy situations
where few plants would exist. The bush seldom
•exceeds three feet in height, and is generally below
that standard; but it is exceedingly thick, and rich
in a pale green foliage, which is a strong temptation
to the hungry camel. Curiously, this purgative plant
is the animal’s bonne louche, and is considered most
nourishing as fodder.
The exports of the Soudan are limited to gum