PROCESS OF TANNING. 89 



with cotton, covered with dyed leather made 

 from sheepskin. 



The process of tanning is simple. The skin 

 is steeped in water, and rubbed with wood-ashes ; 

 and by repeated immersions the hair is taken off, 

 as well as the adipose substance. It is then 

 rubbed between the hands until it becomes as 

 white and pliable as French kid : at this stage it 

 is used for drums. It is then thrown into the 

 dye-pit, a red dye having been produced by 

 macerating the stalks of the corn, named by the 

 natives dower (a small red corn, the Sorghum 

 clora of Persoon), with a yellow back, resem- 

 bling the Cinchona cordifolia. It is then allowed 

 to remain several days ; when it is taken out to 

 dry, and converted into saddles, horses' head 

 ornaments, sandals, &c. 



Rabbah carries on an extensive traffic, and 

 from its favourable position, in the centre of a 

 populous country, — Soccatoo, Kano, and the 

 Houssa country on the east side, and the Yar- 

 riba on the west, — might be made a place of con- 

 siderable trade. The Arabs carry on an exten- 

 sive traffic in horses, asses, raw silk, red caps 

 from Tripoli, armlets, anklets, and trona {car- 

 honas soda impura), which is used as a substitute 



