402 
PRICE OF IVORY. 
coast, where the palm-oil captains usually gave treble 
that sum. At Rabbah it could be bought at five hun- 
dred cowries ; but there was little to be had, and the 
King did not appear much disposed to trade, unless he 
had it all in his own hands. These prices were, of 
course, for large and good teeth ; scrivelloes could be 
had for about half. 
Indigo of a very superior quality, but in a very dirty 
state, was brought in abundance at Egga, made up in 
balls a little larger than one’s fist, at the rate of about 
five cowries each, or about one hundred and eighty for a 
shilling. The dye obtained from it is of a very rich 
coppery hue, but the natives do not know how to fix it. 
Although in its present state, it is hardly worth the 
carriage, yet by proper care it might become a valuable 
article of commerce. 
Tobacco, of a very mild and agreeable flavour, is sold 
at about a halfpenny per pound. The leaves when 
dried are plaited, and made up in coils, weighing from 
six to ten pounds. It is grown in very great quantities. 
Provisions were cheap enough when we could get 
tliem. A small piece of scarlet cloth, which cost, invoice 
price, eighteen pence, would furnish more than enough 
tor one day’s consumption for ten men. 
A small bullock cost from seven to fifteen thousand 
cowries. A milch goat could seldom be had for less 
than two thousand. A sheep or goat from one to two 
thousand; the latter are more abundant and cheaper 
than sheep, althougli not rcmarkalde for fatness. The 
