TRADE — PRICES. 
413 
much bettor. Thirty brass rings cost 10s. at Senna, £1 at 
Tote, and £2 beyond tho tribes in tho vicinity of Tote : 
these aro a good prico for a ponful of gold-dust of the 
value of £2. Tho plantations of colfoo, which, provious to 
tho commencement of the slave-trade, yielded ono material 
for exportation, aro now deserted, and it is difficult to find 
a singlo troo. Tho indigo ( Indigofera argentea, tho common 
wild indigo of Africa) is found growing everywhere, and 
large quantities of tho senna-plant* grow in tho villago 
of Toto and other parts ; but neither indigo nor senna is 
collected. Calumba-root, which is found in abundanco in 
somo parts farther down tho river, is bought by tho 
Americans, it is said, to uso as a dye-stuff. A kind of 
sarsaparilla, or a plant which is believed by tho Portu- 
guese to bo such, is found from Londa to Senna, but lias 
never boon exported. 
Tho prico of provisions is low, but very much higher 
than provious to tho commencement of tho war. Two 
yards of calico aro demanded for six fowls : this is con- 
sidered very dear, becauso before tho war tho same quan- 
tity of calico was worth twenty- four fowls. Grain is solo 
in little bags made from the leaves of tho palmyra, like 
those in which we receive sugar. They are called panjas; 
and each panja weighs between thirty and forty pounds. 
Tho panja of wheat at Tote is worth a dollar, or five shil- 
lings ; but tho native grain may bo obtained among tho is- 
lands below Lupata at tho rate of three panjas for two yards 
of calico. Tho highest articles of consumption aro tea and 
coffoe, tho tea being often as high as fifteen shillings a pound 
Food is cheaper down the river below Lupata, and provious 
to tho war tho islands which stud tho Zambesi wore all in 
habitod, and, tho soil being exceedingly fertilo, grain and 
fowls could bo got to any amount. Tho inhabitants disap- 
peared beforo their enemies the Landcons, but aro beginning 
* These appeal" to belong to Catiia acutifolia, or truo senna of com- 
merce, found in various parts of Africa and India. — Dr. Hook*. 
85 * 
