Sheep from ten to sixteen cowries. Cowries[55] are much valued, and
form an ornament of head-dress even for the richest women; they are
highly valued as ornaments. Goats are cheaper than sheep; the best
from eight to twelve cowries. Fowls from four to six cowries each.
Antelopes are very scarce and dear. Camels from thirty to sixty
cowries, according to their size and condition. Ostriches, of which
vast numbers are brought to market, are very cheap; the
fore-feathers[56] are often carried to Tafilelt and Marocco, the
28 inferiors are thrown away. A good slave is worth ten, fifteen, or
twenty ducats of five shillings each; at Fas, they are worth from
sixty to a hundred ducats: females are the dearest. Slaves are most
valuable about twelve years old. They have fish-oil for lamps, but
use neither wax nor tallow for candles. The fish-oil is a great
article of trade, and is brought from the neighbourhood[57] of the
sea by Genawa[58] to Housa, and thence to Timbuctoo; dearer at
Timbuctoo than at Housa, and dearer at Housa than at Genawa.
[Footnote 55: Cowries are called _El Uda_, and are sold in
Santa Cruz and in South Barbary, at twenty Mexico dollars per
quintal.]
[Footnote 56: Called _Ujuh_.]
[Footnote 57: Probably from the coast of Guinea, with which
Housa carries on an extensive trade.]
[Footnote 58: _i.e._ Guinea; Genawa being the Arabic name for
the coast of Guinea.]