THE SKIN BAGS. ^71 



state for a few days until slight putrefaction has com- 

 menced, when the application of the rough stone 

 soon divests its surface of the hair. After this has 

 been effected, a deal of labour, during at least one 

 day, is required to soften the distended skin by 

 beating it with heavy sticks, or trampling upon it 

 for hours together, the labourer supporting himself 

 by clinging to the bough of a tree over head, or 

 holding on by the wall of the house. In this 

 manner, whilst the skin is drying, it is prevented 

 from getting stiff, and still further to secure it from 

 this evil condition, it is frequently rubbed with 

 small quantities of butter. When it is supposed that 

 there is no chance of the skin becoming hard and 

 easily broken, the orifice is opened, the air escapes, 

 and a very soft flaccid leather bag is produced, but 

 which, for several days after, affords an amusement 

 to the owner, when otherwise unemployed, by well 

 rubbing it all over with his hands. 



Almost all the produce of the fields is conveyed 

 to the market in such sacks as these — cotton, grain, 

 and the Berberah pepper. It is even the only money- 

 bag employed to carry home the salt returns for the 

 different wares that have been sold. None other 

 could have been employed by Joseph's brethren 

 when they loaded their asses and went down into 

 Egypt ; for none are more naturally the resources 

 of a shepherd people, or better adapted by their 

 form and size for the little useful animal which 

 seems to have been as universally employed by 

 b b 2 



