Those who expect to find Zinder a great commercial dépôt will be much disappointed. The principal merchants here are the Sheikhs En-Noor and Lousou, and the other Tuarick of Asben, whom I have mentioned, called Haj Abdoua. Of Zinder merchants there are but two of consequence, the Morocco Shereef, Konchai, and Haj Amurmur, a Tibboo. The latter is always resident; but Abd-Effeit, or Shereef Konchai, goes abroad and trades. Both these are foreigners. There are, besides, a number of small traders, Tibboos and Fezzanees, who drive a few hard bargains with the Governor. At the present moment his highness has no money. All the specie is quickly carried off to Kuka. The Tuaricks have the goods and the money, and often make their own prices; but as they always demand ready cash, are obliged to wait long before they can dispose of their goods. Burnouses alone bring a great profit; for these are sold to sultans, who require a credit of several months. I am afraid I shall have to give a very poor account of the commerce of this portion of Africa, with reference to its being profitable to Europeans. The greater part of the goods in Kanou are cheaper than those found in the markets of Fezzan, or even Tripoli. The only way in which this commerce pays the Moorish merchants is by the purchase of slaves; and this, from casual circumstances _en route_, frequently turns out a loss. All the traders found on this road are mostly poor fellows, with small capitals: there is no equal to Waldee. Here is a statement of the prices of provisions in the market of Zinder:-- An ox, 10,000 wadâs (for riding). A cow, for food, 8000. (N.B. Cows only are eaten, bullocks being used for riding and carrying burdens.) A sheep of the first quality, 1500 wadâs. A goat of the first quality, 1000. A good fowl, 100. A horse (of the best kind and condition), 1,000,000.[15] An ass: he, 8000 wadâs; she, 6000 wadâs. A zekka of ghaseb: large, 10 wadâs; small, 6 wadâs. (N.B. When there is but little rain, a zekka of ghaseb consists only of two handfuls.) A pound of samen, 40 wadâs. A pound of honey, 60 wadâs. A zekka of wheat, or one handful, 10 wadâs. A zekka of rice, or about six handfuls, is 20 wadâs. A canto of salt, of the weight of about a quarter of a cantar, is now sold for 1200, because the salt-caravan has just arrived; but after two or three months it will fetch 2500 wadâs. [15] 83_l._ 6_s._ The price mentioned in a former page, viz. 1000,000 wadâs is evidently erroneous.--ED.