MORE DETAILS OF THE ARABS AND ZANZIBAR 



size of which change according to the fashion of the 

 moment. 



Lovely old chests, coming from India, but used 

 by the Arabs, are to be picked up sometimes, but 

 whereas the prices used to be about twenty-five 

 rupees, they ask anything now, and expect to get 

 from forty-five to ninety rupees according to size. 

 I got one with a little bell attached to the lock 

 which rings as the key is turned. There are two 

 kinds, one dark wood with heavy brass decoration, 

 and the other with wood painted red with thin 

 brass decoration and tinsel. Mrs. Cave has a re- 

 cord one for the heaviness and beauty of its brass 

 work ; that sort is by far the more handsome. 

 Some people have the red cleaned off, but to me it 

 spoils the character of the thing. One could go on 

 mentioning these fascinating things indefinitely un- 

 less one makes an effort to stop, which effort I must 

 make. I thought though, some readers might like 

 to know what curios could be obtained in Zanzibar ; 

 only let them bear in mind that a lot of bargaining 

 has to be done before the purchase is completed. 



The Arabs have a horrid habit of spitting. They 

 are constantly chewing this betel-leaf and areca-nut, 

 and the lime with it turns the juice red in their 

 mouths ; after much chewing they spit, leaving 

 nasty red marks everywhere. 



The cocoanut palm is the mainstay of the native. 

 They take seven or eight years to grow before they 



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