There is no private property in gum-trees; every marabout has a right to send as many slaves as he likes, without asking leave, or paying any additional contribution. It would assuredly be a great source of wealth to them, if they consulted their own interest better, but they are so indolent that they not only do not try to augment the number of their slaves, but do not even send as many of those they possess as they might do. Their wants however are limited; a single garment suffices them. On the 14th a young man belonging to a neighbouring tent, having a mistress in the camp of the Oulad Biery tribe, invited me to accompany him, with some other friends, to pay her a visit; this camp was a mile to the north of ours. I accepted the invitation, for I sought every opportunity of obtaining an insight into the character and customs of these people. I was politely received; all the women collected around me, talked to me a great deal, and asked me many questions; our conversation was pretty lively; for they asked me amongst other things if I intended to marry, and on my replying in the affirmative, they desired me to chuse one of them, and pressed me to say which I liked best. I told them that the choice was too embarrassing, and that I would rather marry them all, for I thought them all equally beautiful and agreeable. This joke amused them; they were very much pleased with it and even thanked me. Perceiving that the marabout lover was absent, I inquired what had become of him, but could get no information except that he would come again towards night. Several of the women were employed in adorning the betrothed lady, and they had just put on the _henna_ to render her more lovely in the eyes of her admirer. This henna, _lawsonia inermis_, is found in great plenty in the interior; the Moorish women bruise the leaves, and obtain from them a pale red tincture which they use to brighten their charms. The leaves being bruised and reduced to pulp, this pulp is applied to the various parts of the body which they are desirous of staining; it is kept covered, to preserve it from the action of the air, and moistened at intervals with water in which camel dung has been steeped. The colour is five or six hours in fixing; after that time the pulp is removed and the flesh to which it has been applied is stained a beautiful red. Henna is applied to the nails, the feet, and the hands; upon which last they make all sorts of patterns; I have never seen it applied to the face. The colour remains a month without changing, and does not disappear entirely in less than twelve months. It is not only an ornament with the Moors, but a religious ceremony for women who are about to be married. When a woman has used henna she takes care to show it, and to attract attention to her hands and feet, that she may be complimented; women are coquettes all the world over!