THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 43 



species of convolvulus named djaugal, which grows 

 horizontally underground, and some convolvulus gnocchi 

 growing upon stems, a kind of bean called manglm and 

 fruit of the butter tree. These three kinds of con- 

 volvulus taste, when cooked, like our potato. 



" < MEDICAL PART. 



" 'Dr.Peney, who has collected some very interesting 

 information during his long residence in the Soudan 

 with regard to the maladies prevalent in the country, 

 has undertaken to prepare a medical treatise in reply 

 to the questions raised by M. Jules Cloquet in his 

 report of November 10th, 1856, and this treatise will 

 be presented to the Academy. I may in the mean- 

 while communicate to the Academy a copy of the 

 ordinances issued by the Yiceroy for the reorganisa- 

 tion of the Soudan provinces, for these ordinances, so 

 sensible and so liberal, while settling many important 

 points, also bring to light a number of details relating 

 to manners which are of a nature to interest the Aca- 

 demie des Sciences and which have a bearing upon 

 several of the ethnological questions which are men- 

 tioned in its instructions. 



" < It may be said without exaggeration that from 

 the issuing of these ordinances civilisation has been 

 established and is feeling its feet in these remote 

 countries, from which it seemed for ever excluded. 

 I do not dwell upon the political consequences which 

 these measures may have for the people to whom 



E2 



