About the facts of his life there has been much difference of opinion.
For sponge fishing no accurate statistics are available before 1896; in that year 75 tons of sponges were secured, but there has been considerable diminution since, only 31 tons being obtained in 1902.
Since 1899 there has been a steady increase both in imports and exports.
Lava streams and other signs of volcanic action abound, but there has been no igneous activity since the Spaniards took possession.
Since the pacification of the Sudan by the British (1886-1889) there has been some revival of trade between Gondar and the regions of the Blue Nile.
