E. Coast of Africa.] ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



39 



and inland ; the plant is considered to be a species of Menispermum. It is 

 highly esteemed by the Africans. Columbo is procured in circular pieces, 

 from half an inch to three inches in diameter, of different thicknesses ; the 

 bark wrinkled and thick, externally a greenish brown, and a light yellow 

 within ; the pith spongy, yellowish, and slightly striped ; when fresh, rather 

 aromatic ; pungent and disagreeably bitter, somewhat resembling mustard 

 kept too long. Chuse the largest pieces, fresh, of a good colour, as free 

 as possible from worms ; reject the small and broken. The best mode of 

 packing is in cases, filling the interstices with fine dry sand. The freight 

 of Columbo is calculated at 16 Cwt. to the ton. 



Cowhies, small glossy shells, used in Bengal and other parts of India 

 as currency. They are also brought from the Maldives. They are bought 

 at Bombay by the Surat Candy (7464 lbs.), and sold by tale, 40 to 50 puns 

 for a rupee. Cowries should be chosen small, clean, white, and glossy ; 

 rejecting the yellow, large, and those without lustre. The freight is calcu- 

 lated at 20 Cwt. per ton. 



Elephants' Teeth. — The Mosambique teeth are sometimes preferred 

 to those from other parts ; but the Ceylon are said to be larger, whiter, and 

 of a finer grain than any from India or Africa. They should be chosen 

 large, straight, solid, and white, free from flaws or decay, and not very 

 hollow in the stump. In India, the hollow part is frequently sawed off to 

 make bangles. At Surat and Cutch, where the Mosambique teeth are pre- 

 ferred, they are thus sold : — those above 1G seers* weight, by the maund of 

 40 seers ; under 16, and not under 10, by that of 60 seers; under 10, and 

 not under 5, by that of 80 seers ; under 5, by that of 1 60 seers. The trade 

 in London divide Elephants' teeth into six sorts or qualities, viz. — 1, those 

 weighing 70 lbs. and upwards; 2, from 56 lbs. to 60 lbs.; 3, from 39 lbs. to 

 55 lbs.; 4, from 28 lbs. to 37 lbs. ; 5, from 18 lbs. to 27 lbs. ; 6, all under 

 18 lbs., which are termed scrivelloes. In Europe, the African teeth are most 

 esteemed, as being of a closer texture, and less liable to turn yellow than 

 those from India. In purchasing them, the very crooked, hollow, and 

 broken at the ends, and those cracked, should be rejected, and care taken 

 that lead, &c. be not inserted in the hollow. The freight is reckoned, in 

 the Company's ships, at 16 Cwt. to the ton. 



Elephants' Hair, from the tail, is stiff and smooth, of a glossy black 

 colour, 14 or 15 inches long, the size of small iron wire, solid, of a horny 

 nature, very tough, and will bear to be tied or doubled without breaking, 

 (though some are brittle), and therefore useful for making beards to fish- 

 hooks. They make neat ornaments for rings, broaches, &c. 



Hippopotamus' Teeth are procured only in Africa. They are long, 

 crooked, and sharp, sometimes 12 or 14 inches long, weighing 8 or 10 lbs.. 



