COMMERCE. 
51 
Prudence forbids them to venture far from the city, for fear 
of the Tooariks, who would make them pay dearly for their 
excursions. 
In consequence of the oppressive heat the market is 
not held until three in the afternoon. There were few 
strangers to be seen except the Moors of the neighbouring 
tribe of Zawat, who often come hither j but in comparison 
with Jenne, the market is a desert. 
At Timbuctoo, it is very unusual to see any other mer- 
chandise except what is brought by the vessels and a few 
articles from Europe, such as glass wares, amber, coral, 
sulphur, paper, &c. 
I saw three shops kept in small rooms, well stored with 
stuffs of European manufacture. The merchants put out at 
their doors cakes of salt for sale, but they never exhibit 
them in the market. Such as do business at the market 
have stalls made of stakes covered with mats, to protect 
them against the heat of the sun. My host Sidi-Abdallahi 
was obliging enough to shew me over one of his magazines 
in which he stowed his European merchandise. I observed 
there many double-barrel guns, with the mark of Saint- 
Etienne, and other manufactories. In general French 
muskets are much prized, and sell at a higher rate than 
those of other nations. I also saw some beautiful elephants' 
teeth. My host told me that he procured some from Jenne, 
but the larger ones had been bought at Timbuctoo ; they 
are brought hither by the Tooariks or Soorgoos, the Kis- 
soors, and the Dirimans, who inhabit the banks of the 
river. They do not hunt the elephant with fire-arms, but 
catch it in snares. 1 regret having never seen one of these 
animals caught. 
On the 9.2nd of April, Sidi-Mbark, to whom I had 
made a present of a piece of cloth with the view of gaining 
his friendship, told me he should have a caravan ready in 
two days to go to Tafilet, and that I must hold myself pre- 
E 2 
