^:GYPT, and SYRIA. 287 
trive to give tlie roof a flight obliquity, making fpouts to carry 
ofF the water. The roof thus conftru6led is a tolerable pro- 
tedlon from the rain, and the whole building is in a certain 
degree fecure from robbers, and the other Inconveniences which- 
are there to be expeded. The Donga is provided with a door, 
confifting of a fmgle plank, hewn with the axe, as the plane 
and faw are equally unknown. It Is fecured by a padlock, and 
thus conftltutes the repofitory of all their property. The next 
is called a Kourftak^ which is ufually fomewhat larger than the 
Dofiga, differing from it in being without a door, and having 
no other roof than thatch, fhelving like that of our barns, com- 
pofed of Kaffob, the ftraw of the maize, and fupported by Hght 
rafters. This however is cooler in fummer than the more 
clofely covered buildings, and is appropriated to receiving com- 
pany, and fleeping. The women are commonly lodged, and 
drcfs their food in another apartment of the fame kind as the 
laft, but round, and from fifteen to twenty feet in diameter : 
this is called Sukteia. The walls of the Do?iga are often about 
twelve or fifteen feet high ; thofe of the other buildings feldom 
exceed feven or eight, but this depends on the tafte of the 
owner. The floor of each, by perfons who are attentive to 
neatnefs. Is covered with clean fand, which is changed as. 
occafion requires. An houfe In which there are two Doiigas^ 
two Kournaks^ and two Siikte'uUy Is confidered as a large and 
commodious one, fitted to the , ufe of merchants of the firfl: 
order. A Rukkuba (flied) is frequently added, which is no 
more than a place fheltered from the fun, where a company fit 
and converfe in the open air. The Interior fence of the houfe 
is commonly a wall of clay. The exterior univerfally a thick 
hedge-,. 
