46 Journal of Trai'i'l and Natural History 



During the author's visit to Tchelga, a market was held, the 

 principal articles for sale being, "raw cotton and coarse cloth, 

 tanned hides, honey, grain, milk, butter, red pepper, coffee, tchat 

 (a sort of tea), kosso^ and sweet potatoes." 



The Maria Theresa dollar is the only coin used, and necessarily 

 limited to large purchases ; smaller transactions are made with 

 pieces of salt, called tsho^ cut into small blocks, which form the 

 principal circulating medium throughout the greater part of 

 Abyssinia. 



On the margins of several streams traversing the undulating 

 plains of Tchelga, the presence of iron was evidenced, by the 

 effect produced on a compass of delicate construction, whose 

 needle, when placed on the ground, was deflected as much as 90°; 

 and a further proof, was the yellow deposits of oxide left by 

 mountain rivulets. Beds of inferior coal were also found in the 

 plain of Tchelga, and Mr Dufton expatiates on the advantages 

 possessed by the country, but which would require an enlightened 

 government to develope. 



Here, also, on the summit of a hill, traces of the remains of a 

 stone building — supposed to be those of a Portuguese Church — 

 were discovered. " As usual in buildings of such a description, 

 this is situated in the midst of a beautiful grove of trees, amongst 

 which the Kolquol, by its beauty, claims an undisputed preference. 

 It here attains a height of 40 feet, and the cactus-like branches, 

 springing from the parent stem, about 10 feet from the ground, are 

 some six inches in thickness, and yield on contusion a bitter milky 

 fluid, which is said to be poisonous. The wild aloe, about two 

 feet high, adorned with a beautiful red flower, is also very common 

 in this neighbourhood." 



On his way to Debra 'I'abor, Mr Dufton skirted the northern 

 shores of Lake Tsana, about 70 miles long, by 40 broad, and 6000 

 feet above the sea level. Several islands, covered with rich tropical 

 foliage, appear to float on the surface of its smooth waters ; yet, 

 notwithstanding all its attractions, the Abyssinians have never had 

 on it a boat worthy of the name. Here, in addition to teff, doura, 

 wheat, barley, and other cereals, its shores produce cotton, the 

 grape vine, and a few fruit trees, whilst to the south-west tiie coffee 

 plant is said to flourish. 



In the comparison between the Christians of .\byssinia and the 

 Mahommedans and Jews, the contrast is unfavourable to the 

 former, whom he cliaracterizes as being not only proud and 



