Chap. XXV. 
GROWTH OF THE TOWN. 
119 
never filled up the immense space comprised within 
the walls, though it is curious to observe that there 
are evident traces of a more ancient wall on the south 
side, which, as will be seen from the plan, did not 
describe so wide a circumference, particularly towards 
the south-west, where the great projecting angle seems 
to have been added in later times, for merely strategi- 
cal purposes. The reason why the fortifications were 
carried to so much greater extent than the population 
of the town rendered necessary, was evidently to make 
the place capable of sustaining a long siege (sufficient 
ground being inclosed within the walls to produce the 
necessary supply of corn for the inhabitants), and also 
to receive the population of the open and unprotected 
villages in the neighbourhood. The inhabited quarter 
occupies at present only the south-eastern part of the 
town between Mount Dala and the wall, which on this 
side is closely approached by the dwellings. 
On the northern margin of the Jakara is the market- 
place, forming a large quadrangle, mostly consisting 
of sheds built in regular rows like streets ; but the 
westernmost part of it forms the slaughtering-place, 
where numbers of cattle are daily butchered, causing 
an immense quantity of offal and filth to accumulate, 
for which there is no other outlet than the all-swallow- 
ing Jakara. It is the accumulation of this filth in 
the most frequented quarters of the town which makes 
it so unhealthy. On the north-east side of the sheds 
is the camel-market, where also pack-oxen are sold. 
The shed where the slaves are sold is at the north- 
i 4 
