TOPOGRArHY— EL-FASHER— KOBEH— TOEA. 279 



not take the direction of Khartum, or even that of the Nubian Nile. Guided by 

 the stars, the sun, and old beaten paths, it marched from station to station in a 

 northerly direction, attaining the Nile at Siut. Like the caravan of Kordofân, it 

 had its particular route, wells, and oases, and hence did not run the risk of having 

 to fight for the possession of the water gushing forth here and there in the desert. 

 Moreover it was split up into several sections, which followed each other at a few 

 days' interval, so as to give the water time to collect again at the bottom of the 

 wells. 



Some caravans, compelled to move rapidly, completed the journey in forty- 

 five days ; but they usually rested at the stations and in the oases, and did not 

 arrive in the valley of the Nile till after a journey of two or three months. 

 Bearing the valuable products of central Africa — ivory, ostrich feathers, gum, 

 tamarinds, skins of wild beasts, and rhinoceros horns, to which were added slaves, 

 eunuchs and the bulk of the camels of the caravan — the merchants usually remained 

 about six months in Egypt, awaiting the return of the pilgrims from Mecca. 

 They then set out on their return journey to Dar-For laden with woollen goods, 

 pearls, glass trinkets, and chased weapons, articles light of weight but of great 

 value, for the transport of which they did not require such a long convoy of 

 animals. At the time of the French expedition into Egypt, General Bonaparte, 

 desiring to open up relations with the Sultan of Dar-Fôr by means of these 

 caravans, asked him to send in exchange for his merchandise, " two thousand 

 black slaves, over sixteen years of age, strong and vigorous." 



Topography, 



. Dar-For is naturally divided into a central province, that of the mountainous 

 region, from which the watercourses descend, and where the masters of the 

 country have nearly always resided, and into the provinces of the surrounding 

 lands, including the region of the steppes. The dâr or central region, which 

 comprises the highlands, is known by the name of Torra ; the others are termed 

 according to their geographical situation, Dâr-Tokonavi or " the north," Dali or 

 "the east," TJma or "the south," Dima or "the south-west," and El-Gharb or 

 " the west." Moreover, all the well-defined geographical regions bear the name of 

 dâr or " country," independently of the political or administrative divisions. 



El-FaSHER KoBEH TORA. 



The present Fasher, that is to say the " Residence," is situated at a height of 

 2,456 feet on the eastern slope of Dar-Fôr, between two sandy hills, and on the 

 edge of the Tendelti lakelet, which is fed by a wady descending from the northern 

 Marrah hills. Its current, being retained by a dyke, supplies the inhabitants 

 with water for more than half of the year ; however, before the rainy season the 

 bed of the lake has to be excavated to a depth of over 30 feet before drinking 

 water can be procured. El- Fasher lies nearly midway between the capitals of 



