Chap. XL VII. 
hu'lluf. 
283 
There is still a great deal of cultivation of cotton to 
be seen, even in the present state of decay to which 
this province is reduced ; but an immense deal more 
might be cultivated. Then followed fields of sorghum; 
and further on, the lowing of cattle and the cackling 
of hens indicated the presence of a Shiiwa village at 
some distance on our left. Cultivated ground and 
forest alternately succeeded each other, the w T ild hog 
being seen in every direction, while numerous villages 
were lying about here and there, but at present all 
deserted, the inhabitants, who belong to the Shiiwa, 
migrating during the dry season towards a large 
shallow watercourse in the south-west, where they 
find fresher pasture-grounds for their cattle. This wa- 
tercourse or ngaljam is famous under several names, 
being called Bawish, Madef, and Burbede. We then 
passed on our left the town U'lluf, Hiilluf, or Helify 
surrounded by a high clay wall, and almost hidden 
behind wide-spreading fig-trees, just as is the case 
with Kala. This town, the name of which is pro- 
nounced " Elf" by the Arabs, and of the origin of 
which they give very absurd accounts, is ill-famed 
for the presumed witchcraft and sorcery of its inha- 
bitants ; and this was the only reason which pre- 
vented my companions from staying here during the 
heat of the day. 
We therefore continued our march; and, having 
passed another swamp, entered a well-cultivated 
district, where a great deal of sorghum was grown. 
I was however surprised at seeing the stacks of grain, 
