At Ras-el-Fyk[76] the hoe (_hachâchah_) serves as currency. It is simply a plate of iron fitted with a socket. A handle is fitted into this socket, and one has an implement suited for chopping the weeds in the corn fields. Purchases of small value are made with the hoe from 1 to 20: above that amount the _toukkiyeh_ is employed and likewise the _chauter_. At Temourkeh they use as moneys cylindrical pieces of copper (called _damleg_) for articles of some value, whilst a kind of glass bead called _chaddour_ is used for small articles. Near Ganz, the eastern part of Darfour, the principal article of exchange is the _doukha_ for articles of moderate value. They give it by the handful, or by the double handful up to the amount of half a _moda_; whilst as elsewhere articles of value are bought by the _toukkiyeh_ or dollar. In a very great number of places merchandise is exchanged against oxen; thus the horse is worth 10 to 20 oxen. Accordingly while each district of Darfour has some peculiar form of currency for small change the higher currency is the same everywhere, the piece of cloth, the ox, the slave[77]. In the region of Wadai the same shrewd Arab tells us that cattle are kept by even the most barbarous tribes[78]. Thus the Fertyt tribe, who go in a state of almost complete nudity, and thus have no need of cloth, possess large herds of cattle, which are not branded, but each owner distinguishes his cattle by giving a peculiar shape to their horns as soon as they begin to grow. In the less barbarous communities of Wadai slaves and beads are employed as currency as well as cattle. The bead used is called the _mansous_. It is of yellow amber and of different sizes. Number 1 is so called because one string (containing 100 beads) weighs one _rotl_ (pound) of 12 ounces; Number 2 because two strings weigh a _rotl_; Number 3 because 3 strings make a _rotl_ and so on. The first is the most costly of all beads. Often a single bead of this sort (_soumyt_) is worth two slaves; if it is abundant each bead is worth a slave. CHAPTER III. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE OX AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOLD. And round about him lay on every side Great heapes of gold that never could be spent, Of which some were rude owre not purified Of Mulciber’s devouring element. Some others were new driven and distent Into great Ingowes and to wedges square, Some in round plates with outen ornament, But most were stampt and in their metal bare The antique Shapes of Kings and Kesars straunge and rare. SPENSER, _Faerie Queen_, II. vii.