Chap, LXX. SPECIES AND PRICES OF SALT. 
25 
hammamiye ; the fourth, el-kdhela, or the black one ; 
and the lowest, which is embedded in the water, 
el-kdmera, or el-bedha. The upper of these layers 
are of little value, and the most in request is the 
fourth layer, or el-kdhela, the colour of which is a 
most beautiful intermixture of black and white, like 
a species of marble. The ground is let out by the 
"kdid," who resides here, and whose name at the 
present time is Zen, in small portions, where the 
diggings are made, and he levies a tribute called the 
khomiis from each hofra, or hole, the rest being sold 
by the workmen. 
The largest pieces of salt which are dug out here 
measure 3 feet 5 inches in length, 13 inches in height, 
and 2J inches in thickness, but they are of very 
unequal size, varying from 50 to 65 lb. in weight ; 
this, however, is only half of one layer, each layer 
being sawn into two slabs. The price of these slabs 
of course varies greatly at different times, but, as 
far as I became aware, in general does not reach 
such^n exorbitant price as has been mentioned by 
Leo Africanus, Mr. Jackson, General Daumas, and 
others. When lowest, the price of each middle-sized 
slab does not exceed 3000 shells ; and the highest 
price which was paid during my residence in the 
town was 6000, the price always rising towards 
spring, when the salt caravans become scarce on 
account of the number of blood-flies which infest the 
town and the neighbourhood of the river. Of course, 
when this great highroad is shut up for a long period, 
