a species of thorn peculiar to Abyssinia, is thus described by Mr Bruce: "The branches stand two and two upon the stalk; the leaves are disposed two and two likewise, without any single one at the point; whereas the branches bearing the leaves part from the stalk; at the immediate joining of them are two thick thorns placed perpendicular and parallel alternate- The male plant has a one-leaved perianthium, divided into five segments, and this falls off with the flower. The flower is composed of five petals, in the middle of which rise ten stamens or filaments, the outer row shorter than those of the middle, with long filaments, having yellow farina upon them. The flowers grow in a branch, generally between three and four inches long, in a conical disposition, that is, broader at the base than the point. The inside of the leaves are a vivid green, in the outside much lighter. It grows in form of a bush, with a multitude of small branches rising immediately from the ground, and is generally seven or eight feet high. Our author saw it when in flower only, never when bearing fruit. It has a very strong smell, resembling that of the small scented flower called mimosa, grown in vases and boxes in windows, or rooms, where flowers are kept.

Our author represents the kantuffa as so very troublesome, that it renders travelling through some places of Abyssinia almost impossible. The soldier screens himself from it by a goat's, a leopard's, or a lion's skin thrown over his shoulder, of which it has no hold. As his head is bare, he always cuts his hair short before he goes to battle, lest his enemy should take advantage of it; but the women, wearing their hair long, and the great men, whether in the army or travelling in peace, being always clothed, it never fails to inconvenience them, whatever species of raiment they wear. If their cloak is fine muslin, the least motion against it puts it all in rags; but if it is a thick, soft cloth, as those are with which men of rank generally travel, it buries its thorns, great and small, so deep in it, that the wearer must either dismount and appear naked, which to principal people is a great disgrace, or else much time will be spent before he can disengage himself from its thorns.

In the time when one is thus employed, it rarely fails to lay hold of you by the hair, and that again brings on another operation, full as laborious, but much more painful, than the other. A proclamation is therefore issued, every year immediately before the king commences any march, in these words: "Cut down the kantuffa in the four quarters of the world; for I do not know where I am going." The wild animals, both birds and beasts, especially the Guinea fowl, know how well it is qualified to protect them. In this shelter, the hunter in vain could endeavour to molest them, were it not for a hard-haired dog, or terrier of the smallest size, who being defended from the thorns by the roughness of his coat, goes into the cover, and brings them and the partridges alive one by one to his master.