Chap. LIV. 
WU'SHEK. 
61 
characteristic feature — for although the cottages them- 
selves are built of reed and stalks of Negro corn, 
the corn-stacks, far from presenting that light and 
perishable appearance which they exhibit all over 
H&usa, approach closely that solid style of building 
which we have observed in the Musgu country, 
being built of clay, and rising to the height of ten feet. 
Wiishek is the principal place for the cultivation of 
wheat in the whole western part of Bornu ; and if 
there had been a market that day, it would have 
been most profitable for me to have provided myself 
here with this article, wheat being very essential for 
me, as I had only free servants at my disposal, who 
would by no means undertake the pounding and pre- 
paring of the native corn, while a preparation of wheat, 
such as mohamsa, can be always kept ready ; but the 
market of Wiishek is only held every Wednesday. 
In the whole of this country, one hundred shells, or 
kiingona, which are estimated equal to one g&baga, 
form the standard currency in the market ; and it is 
remarkable that this sum is not designated by the 
Kaniiri word "miye "or "yero,"* nor with the 
common Hausa word "dari," but by the name 
M zango," which is used only in the western parts of 
H&usa and in Sokoto. 
I had pitched my tent near the south-eastern 
* The Kanuri, in order to express " one hundred," have relin- 
quished the expression of their native idiom, and generally make 
use of the Arab term " miye." 
