Si.se also produces iron, copper, and lead ore. In the mountains o f Id au ltit, the y have iron, which they manufacture themselves into gun-barrels, and other articles. A t Tesellergt the copper mines are extremely abundant; but they work them only as they want the metal. In Tafilelt are mines o f anti- m o n y ; it abounds also in lead ore. ' Mineral Salt. West Barbary, Bled-el-j,errede, and parts o f Sahara, abound in mineral salt, o f a red colour, which is dug from quarries and mines. In the province o f Abda there is a v e r y extensive lake, which furnishes salt o f a superior q u a lity to the mineral ; they are both exceedingly strong, and are not fit to prepare meat with, ha vin g been frequently tried; this,- however, may be owing to the unskijfullness- o f the Moors in curing meat. Near the cities o f Fas and Mequinas a .-similar salt is: also foun d ; and a beautifully white and pure kind is procured among the rocks, which bind many parts o f the coast;; this is produced b y the effulgence o f the meridian sun, exhaling the water from the salt which remains in the cavities. Vast quantities of salt are conveyed b y the Akkabahs to Soudan, where none is produced, and on that account is so v a lu able at Timbuctoo, that a pound weight is frequently bartered fo r an ounce o f gold dust. Salt-pelre— This article, now prohibited from exportation, e xcept under certain restrictions, and particular grants, is the produce o f Fas, Marocco, and Terodant; that o f Terodant or Suse is the best, purest, and strongest, and in its unrefined state is equal to that o f Marocco when refined.* * It IS probably owing to the deficiency of knowledge in African languages among Europeans (which not only impedes, but often renders abortive, our Lead Ore ( E l Kahol) .— There are two kinds o f this mineral ; that which is the best and most esteemed sells for double the price o f the common kind, and is the basis o f the black substance used b y the African ladies to tinge their eyes, eye-brows, and eye-lashes. T he A tla s mountains abound with this lead ore, particularly the eastern side o f them, towards F ighig and Tafilelt. T h e best kind, as already observed, is called E l Kahol F ile lly (i.e . lead ore o f Tafilelt). Sulphur.— Before this mineral was imported, from the Mediterranean, it was dug from the foot o f Atlas, opposite to Terodant, where there are immense quantities.* FRUITS, PLANTS, k c. Figs, called b y the Western Arabs, Kermuse; there are many kinds o f this fruit, some o f w hich are purple, others green ; they are esteemed wholesome, and abound in e ve ry part o f the empire. A t Terodant, Marocco, Fas, and Tetuan, they are uncommonly fine, and o f an exquisite flavour ; those o f Mogodor, however, are v e ry inferior, as are most o f the fruits that grow in the environs o f that arid and sandy country. T h e Jews extract (mahaya) an ardent spirit from figs, which th e y drink immoderately whilst hot from the alembic ; but when négociations with the Emperor) that we have been hitherto prevented from obtaining very considerable supplies as well of this as of many other useful articles, such as naval stores and provisions, from West Barbary. * The Arabs of Woled Abussebah manufacture gun-powder of a quality far superior to that of Europe ; for if it be immersed in water during a night, and then taken out, it is perfectly dry and fit for use; but they keep the process a secret. .That which is made by the Moors is, in general, of a very inferior quality, having neither strength nqr quickness.
27f 39
To see the actual publication please follow the link above