1844.] Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. 281 



in the first instance, relish the composition ; but the great recommenda- 

 tion to the native is its power of intoxication, which does not seem 

 to be attended by those after- feelings of disgust concomitant on the 

 free use of other potent liquors, no Amhara of the upper classes 

 ever goes sober to bed, if the means of intoxication be placed within 

 his reach. 



81. The branches of the "gesho" plant are dried, pounded, and 

 boiled with water, until a strong bitter decoction is produced, which 

 is thus placed in another vessel to cool. Equal quantities of honey 

 and water are then added, and fermentation takes place in three days. 

 Chillies and pepper are next thrown in, and the mixture is shut up 

 in earthen vessels, well closed with mud and cow-dung. The strength 

 increases with the age, and his majesty's cellars are well stocked with 

 jars filled in the days of his father, Hoosun Suggud, thirty years ago, 

 which is little inferior in potency to brandy, and which furnishes the 

 materials for the nightly orgies in the royal palace. In northern 

 Abyssinia, the bitter ingredient is made from the root of the plant 

 " izade" from whence is derived the name of the liquor "iziddy." It 

 is much more powerful than that made in Shoa, but is not used in 

 such disgusting quantities. 



82. The " boussa," or beer of the country, also possesses a slight 

 intoxicating quality, and being taken in enormous quantities, produces 

 in the end the desired effect. The leaves and branches of the 

 " gesho" are pounded and mixed with water, and the barley or juwa- 

 ree, being buried for a few days under-ground, until the grain begins 

 to sprout, is bruised and added to the bitter decoction. After fer- 

 mentation, which takes place in four days, the liquor is closed up in 

 earthen vessels, and is ready for use, according to the temperature of 

 the heat, in ten or fifteen days. The capacity of an Abyssinian to 

 swallow this sour, disagreeable mixture is truly wonderful. Gallons 

 are consumed every evening in every house, and serious rioting, and 

 often-times bloodshed, are the general result of the evening festivity. 



83. The Abyssinian breed of horses would be considered in England 

 somewhat undersized, and deficient in make and bone ; they are en- 

 tirely kept for the saddle, the want of roads militating against the use of 

 waggons, and established custom forbids their employment in agricul- 

 tural purposes. With long shaggy coats from exposure to the seasons, 



