70 Land Magnetic Observations, 1911-13 



the tents were removed and the loading was commenced; at 6^, or 5'' 45" with veteran cara- 

 vaneers, the animals were loaded and the route was taken. As the travel was from one 

 place of pasturage to another, wherever possible, the hours of march varied considerably, 

 but a halt was generally made between 11 a. m. and 3 p. m., when the animals were immedi- 

 ately turned out to graze. The camels must have food; this necessity greatly limits travel 

 in the Sahara. While the caravaneers were unloading, camp was pitched and if lunch was 

 taken on board camel, as was our custom, the rest of the afternoon was free for observations. 



The route between Biskra and Touggourt is frequently traveled, even by tourists. 

 To avoid the discomfort of having to camp in the open, ihe government maintains caravan- 

 saries here called "bordjs." A "bordj" is a one-story rectangular mud buildingwith stables 

 and rooms built about a quadrangular open court, into which the animals may be brought. 

 Where there is considerable travel, the "bordj" is kept by a keeper, who is tipped by the 

 departing caravan leader. Between Touggourt and Biskra, such a "bordj," as also a 

 well, is found at the end of every day's travel or "etape." Pasturage is also abundantly 

 found every day, so that travel in this region is facile. 



Leaving Biskra, the first magnetic observations were made at the end of 3 days of 

 travel at the "bordj" of Steil; another station was established at Berzique, 3 days further 

 on. Then after 2 more days Touggourt was reached on November 5. Two stations had 

 been occupied and the caravan had not been delayed beyond the time ordinarily consumed 

 in making that trip. On November 5, while Mr. SaAvyer was making observations, a new 

 caravan of 22 camels was hired, the escort was changed from mounted horsemen to "me- 

 haristes," men mounted on camels. On November 7, the route was resumed for Ouargla. 



The desert from the north along our line of travel changed, not gradually but abruptly, 

 from better to worse. Such a change occurred at Touggourt. The first day's march out 

 of Touggourt was 8 hours to an oasis and water, where there was a small village; but the 

 following day's march was 14 hours so as to have water at the "bordj " of Hassi Mahmar. 

 On account of the long march of the preceding day, a halt of an entire day was made on 

 the 9th, and complete magnetic observations were made. Two days with pasturage at 

 the close of each day, but no water, followed, and then el Bour N'Goussa, a little oasis, was 

 reached. A magnetic station v/as established here on the afternoon of arrival, and the 

 march was resumed on the following day. The town and oasis of Ouargla was reached on 

 that day, November 12. Here it seemed best, according to advice received from French 

 officers, to buy the greater part of the camels for the more severe work to the south. A 

 station was occupied at Ouargla by Mr. Sawyer, camels were bought, caravaneers hired, 

 and as far as possible a final organization effected. The escort was increased to 6 men, 

 in charge of Sub-Officer Constant, and on the morning of November 20 the expedition 

 departed for In-Salah. Up to Ouargla hired animals had been used; from now on the main 

 body of the animals was owned and controlled, and the caravaneers were paid by the 

 expedition. Through this arrangement we controlled everything except the physical fea- 

 tures that had to be encountered. 



Another abrupt change for the worse in the character of the desert was developed 

 south of Ouargla. Whereas pasturage had previously been met with throughout in suffi- 

 cient quantity, now encampments were frequent where the pasturage was so scant as to 

 be insufficient for the needs of the camels. "The camels were living off of their humps. As 

 this report may be of value to some members of the Institution in the near future, I will 

 here take space to make some comment on this animal as bred in southern Algeria or in 

 the severer portions of Sahara. 



During the winter season, when the nights are cold, due to great radiation, and the 

 days are hot, there is a gi-eat diurnal range of temperature, which may be as much as 35 C, 

 from below up. During this season camels bred in the region of In-Salah, when out in 

 pasturage and not worked, will not return to a well of their own accord for water short of 



