ALGIERS, frequently called, since its oc cupation by the French, Algeria, or Algerie, is better known to English readers as one of the Barbary states. It is situated on the African coast of the Mediterranean, between Tunis on the east, and Marocco on the west. It is gradually losing its Moorish character, and becoming Frenchified; though the Arabs on the southern border are as little disposed as ever to assume European customs. In the twenty years during which the French have possessed this territory (1830-1850) they have had many a struggle to maintain their position.
The fertility for which this country was re nowned in ancient times still continues ; in the valleys, which are watered by streams, vegetation is extremely luxuriant. The mould is of a very dark colour; in some places it is reddish, and impregnated with nitre or salt. The hills are covered with fruit trees of every kind, and the fruit is generally exquisite. A species of the lotus is found here, the fruit of which is eaten. The palm is indigenous, but the date comes from the southern side of the Atlas. Few timber trees are to be seen ex cept a species of oak, the querciis ballota, which bears a very nutritive kind of acorn. The mountains near Bujeiah used to supply the dockyard of Algiers with timber. There are many species of the cypress and chestnut trees. There are also very extensive planta tions of the nessri or white roses ; these flowers are much larger than those of Eu rope, and yield the essence known by the name of attar of roses. The sugar-cane grows in This country; and a species of it called Soleyman rises to a great height, and gives more sugar than any other species known. The indiggfera glance thrives also. The grain sown is wheat, barley, Indian corn, millet, dolma, and also rice.
The Kabyles, who form half the native po pulation, are an industrious race in regard to agriculture, mining, and manufactures gene rally. They make guns, ploughs, and many coarse utensils, which they sell to the Arabs and Moors; they know how to temper steel, and also make sabres and knives of a toler able quality. They manufacture gunpowder for their own use, but they never sell any of it. Common woollen and linen stuffs, olive oil, and soap made from soda and oil, are among their manufactures. The furniture of their huts is very simple; a few sheepskins or mats spread on the ground, or on a wooden platform in a corner, serve them as beds ; their hyfres, which resemble in shape the plaid of the Highlanders, and their boornooses or cloaks with hoods, which constitute their dress by day, serve them as blankets at night ; a few baskets, earthen dishes, pots, and jars, for their milk and honey ; they keep their grain and fruit in large vats made of clay baked in the sun, or bury them in holes under ground. The Arabs, Turks, and Moors, are similar in their industrial pursuits to those tribes in other countries.
In his address to the manufacturers of France, as to the articles desirable to send to the Exhibition of 1851, M. Charles Dupin enumerates several of the products of Algeria : wools ; fruits ; cheap oils, fit for manufacturing purposes ; cork ; woods, so richly coloured, and of such varied shades, for cabinet work; a material for weaving obtained from the fibres of bark or of reeds, the productions made from which are fitted for summer apart ments.