MR. J. BALL’S SPICILLEGIUM FLORH MAROCCANS. 291 
throughout a steep ascent of over 3000 feet is well engineered, 
sometimes in regular zigzags, such as are seen in Switzerland or 
Tyrol. Itis needless to say that every step in our ascent was of 
engrossing interest ; but the weather grew steadily worse, as the 
rain became sleet, and then snow. We were overtaken by our 
guides, who used every means of threat and entreaty to induce 
us to return: for a time we silenced them by some silver coins ; 
but they were in a pitiable state as we approached the summit. 
Except on some ledges of rock it was no longer possible to get at 
plants ; and the snow driven by a violent wind made it impos- 
sible to see more than a few feet. Mr. Maw alone reached the 
actual crest of the ridge, but could see nothing. I,as well as Dr. 
Hooker, was alittle lower down; and when Mr. Maw returned we 
readily consented to forego the barren honour of touching the 
summit, which is, by our observations, about 11,500 feet above 
the sea. 
On the following day we returned to our camp, the valley above 
Arround being deep in snow, and no more botanizing being there 
practicable. The following day was needed to arrange and pack 
our collections ; and on the 18th we reached a place called Sektana, 
near the base of the main range, of which it commands a very fine 
_ view. Onthe next morning Mr. Maw left us, to return to England, 
taking with him two of our escort ; while we proceeded westward 
by a place called Gurguri, and, after crossing the wide stony bed of a 
torrent called Oued en Fisk, reached Amsmiz, the largest place we 
had yet seen on the skirts of the Atlas. Here, after some trouble, 
we succeeded in making another excursion into the interior of the 
range; and from a village near the head of the valley, where we 
slept, we were able on the 23rd of May to ascend the highest sum- 
mit near its head, called Djebel Tezah. The chain has here di- 
minished considerably in height ; for while the Tagherot pass is as 
nearly as possible 11,500 feet in height, the summit of Djebel 
Tezah only attains to about 11,000 feet. Thence we were able to 
see across the great valley of Sous, and for the first time beheld 
the parallel range, or Anti-Atlas, some 60 miles distant,which, at a 
rough estimate, can scarcely attain the height of 10,000 feet. 
Returning to Amsmiz, our course lay through the sloping plain 
at the foot of the mountains to Mzouda ; and on the 26th we passed 
Keira (where M. Balansa had found a friendly reception), and en- 
camped near the village of Seksaoua. Two days, on one of which 
we ascended a neighbouring mountain to the height of some 
