Page 391 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

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BERBERA. [CII.

Arabia. To effect this exchange, boats are

continually arriving and departing from and
for Mokha, Hodeidha, Makullah, and other

ports. The number usually assembled was
from thirty to forty, and allowing an average
of a daily arrival and departure, rather under
than over the mark, it gives a total, during
the season, of two hundred and fifty boats of

from forty to a hundred tons, or about fifteen
thousand tons annually. Exclusive of this,
two or three square-rigged vessels arrive
during the season ; and hence, a fair estimate
may be formed of the value and extent of the
commerce of this port. Notwithstanding a
heavy swell and constant shore-breezes, the
Arab boats appear to have little difficulty in
passing and repassing to and from the oppo­
site coast. The principal articles which the
Sfimalis bring with them from the interior are

ghi and coffee, together with sheep, gums of
various kinds, myrrh, ostrich feathers, small
quantities of gold dust, hides tanned with and
without the hair, and, towards the close of the
season, slaves of both sexes, The use of ghi
with rice and other articles of food, is univer- I