420 
Browne's journey. 
with the other sex is regulated by no attention to 
delicacy or decency ; and the precepts of Islamism 
are often infringed, by the relations of brother and 
sister being exchanged for a closer connexion. 
The sex are, however, subjected to less restraint 
than in many Mahometan countries. The women 
appear in pubHc unveiled, make bargains in the 
markets, and converse with the other sex, without 
offending their husbands or relations. The most 
severe labours of the field, and the meanest domes- 
tic offices, are performed by the women, who are 
often seen walking after their husbands, under the 
pressure of a heavy burden, while these ride be- 
fore them on their asses, without encumbrance 
and without concern. Their houses are built of 
clay, commonly by the hands of their women, and 
are covered with a flattish roof of thin boards, 
coated with clay. Salt is the general medium of 
exchange in Darfur, but, in some places, small tin 
rings of arbitrary value are employed. A caravan 
passes from Darfur to Egypt, to traffic in slaves, 
ivory, gum, camels, &c. ; but this commercial in- 
tercourse is not regular, and is frequently inter- 
rupted. The Dongolese and Nubian settlers in 
Darfur, who had been accustomed to the Egyp- 
tian trade, originally opened the route ; but mer- 
chants are frequently interrupted by the Cubba- 
besh and Bedeiat Arabs ; the last of whom are not 
supposed to be of Arabic origin. In collecting 
