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290 MR. J. BALL*S SPICILEGTUM: FLOR^ MA.ro CCAlS'iE. 



the highest part of the chain, this was taken to mean the ascent 

 of at least one of the higher summits. On the 13fch we followed 

 a steep and difficult track, amid a vegetation mainly new to us, 



where it was tantalizing to be content with a specimen or two 

 that could be snatched while pressing onward^and some time 

 after midday reached the last village, called Arround, standing at 

 nearly 7000 feet above the sea-level, a short distance beyond a 

 barrier partly composed of rock and partly of ancient moraine, the 

 only undoubted moraine seen by us in the Atlas. Here the 

 scenery assumed a singularly stern character. The floor of the 

 valley extends for some way nearly level, and then slopes gradu- 

 ally upward, enclosed on every side but one by steep and rugged 

 peaks, nearly bare of snow. But in the hollows and recesses of the 

 valley, at no great height above the village, snow lay in various 

 directions ; and towards one snow-bed our guide, in accordance 

 with his promise, led us. Although many plants were not yet in 

 flower, we found at every step something of engrossing interest 

 among the novelties that which most struck us being the curious 

 Chrysanthemum with scarious involucre, which I have called Ghry- 

 santhemurn Catananche. Our return to our camp in the lower valley 

 in great part by night, and in almost pitch darkness, was difficult 

 and even somewhat dangerous. 



Our object now was to persuade the Sheik to let us sleep at the 

 village of Arround, whence we felt that we could in one way or 

 other attain the higher region, and thus accomplish in some 

 measure the main object of our journey. After some negotiation 

 this plan was arranged; and on the 15th of May, before the sun | 



had well risen, we started from Arround with a very threatening ^ 



sky, determined to ascend as far as might be possible. Fortu- 

 nately the Sheik did not insist on accompanying us, but appointed 

 two guides with injunctions not to let us go beyond a small stone 

 hut at the base of the ascent to the pass of Tagherot. It should 

 have been stated that on our first visit two days before, we ascer- 

 tained that a somewhat frequented track leads from the head of 

 Ait Mesan to the upper part of the Sous valley on the opposite 

 side of the main chain. The weather had become cold and rainy 

 when we reached the hut above referred to. Here our guides en- 

 deavoured to make us understand that it was too dangerous to go 

 further ; and we made no show of resistance, but encouraged them 

 to make a fire in the hut while we collected plants round about. 

 As soon as they were thus engaged we started up the track, which _ 



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