.50 



ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[African fata mitt. 



SOCOTRA, an island about 40 leagues E. of Cape Gardafui, is 

 27 leagues long, and 7 broad, extending nearly E. and W., high and 

 mountainous. To the E. is a dangerous reef of rocks. There are two 

 anchoring places, used at either monsoon : that on the S. W. of the island 

 is called Delisa, and seldom visited. The Bay of Tamarida, on the 

 N. E., where the King resides, is the most eligible. The anchorage, lati- 

 tude \2' 40' N. t longitude 54* 23' E., is in 10 to 12 fathoms, the body of 

 the town bearing S., about half a mile from shore. The houses are of stone 

 and lime, and make, with the mosques, a handsome appearance. The 

 natives arc poor, but in general hospitable. 



TttADK. — Aloes constitute the staple of its traffic, for which article it 

 was formerly much resorted to. Dragon's blood is met with in small 

 quantities. 



Pkovisions and Rkfkrsiimexts. — Bullocks, goats, fish, and dates 

 are reasonable. The water is good, from a sandy valley, a quarter of a 

 mile from the town. Eire -wood is very scarce. Rice is an essential arti- 

 cle to barter ibr refreshments. 



Aloes (Efwft, Hind. Mn sehber , Arab.) are prepared from several 

 plants, chiefly the A, Spicuta and A. Perforata (Ghi-citmtir, Hind. Ghrita- 

 vumari and Taruw, San.), growing in rarious parts of the world, of 

 which there are four sorts. Somtrine, from Socotra, wrapt in skins, of a 

 bright surface, somewhat transparent, yellowish red, with a purplish cast ; 

 of a golden colour when reduced to powder ; hard and friable in winter ; 

 somewhat, pliable in summer. Its taste is bitter and disagreeable, accompa- 

 nied with an aromatic flavour ; smell not very unpleasant, somewhat like 

 myrrh. Boil four ounces in a quart of water; if pure, it will dissolve, and 

 the liquor be dark-coloured ; if adulterated, the impurities will remain 

 undissolved. If mixed with rubbish, it should be cleaned before it is brought 

 to England. The packages should weigh only 150 to 200 lbs. The purcha- 

 ser should expect a considerable loss on the skins, and the packages should 

 be greased, to prevent the drug from sticking. — Heptttw, produced in other 

 parts besides the East. The Barbadoes is generally darker coloured and 

 less clear than the former, but more compact and dry, though soil and 

 clammy: its taste is intensely bitter and nauseous, without aromatic flavour; 

 smell much stronger, and more disagreeable. Care should be taken that 

 this sort from India should not be liquid, which deteriorates it. Horse Aloes 

 sometimes passes for Hepatic, and nearly resembles it, except in its rank 

 smell. It is sometimes so pure and bright, as to render it difficult for the 

 eye to distinguish it from Socotrine. Cupc Aloes is, when powdered, yel- 

 low ; but the thin pieces, when broken off the mass, and even the edges of 

 the larger pieces, are transparent, appearing as if made of yellowish brown 



