42 ASCENT OF BENI HOSMAR. ch. ii. 



most conspicuous shrubs are lentisk, oak scrub, Juniperus 

 phoenicea, and several Cisti ; but the palmetto successfully 

 contends against its rivals, and in some places quite covers 

 the soil. It disappears, however, before one reaches the 

 middle height of the mountain, and the limit of its free 

 growth, not taking account of a few scattered and stunted 

 specimens, was found to be 1,227 feet (374 metres) above 

 the sea. The prevailing species, however, were small 

 shrubby Leguminosce. Of these the most trying to the 

 temper of the botanist is Galyootome villosa. This and 

 the allied species (C spinosa) are very common in the 

 warmer parts of the Mediterranean region, and the stiff 

 spiny points of the numerous branches are most effective 

 in tearing the clothing and the skin of anyone who 

 approaches them. 



We followed a tolerably good cattle track which wound 

 upwards to the right, in a southerly direction, towards the 

 upper part of the mountain. Before reaching its middle 

 height, on some crags facing towards Tetuan, we found a 

 peculiar saxifrage {8. Maweana), first collected by Mr. 

 Webb more than forty years before, but which, with 

 several others, remained unknown and undescribed in Ms 

 Herbarium. Maw refound the plant in 1869, and has 

 successfully cultivated it, along with many other Marocco 

 rarities, in his garden in Shropshire. On the same rocks, 

 besides numerous interesting plants not yet in flower, we 

 gathered a curious crucifer {Succowia balearica) which 

 must flower very early as the fruit was already approaching 

 maturity. 



As we really desired nothing more than to be let to 

 wander about on the mountain according to our own fancy, 

 we were rather pleased than otherwise when our escort of 

 four soldiers with the guide, seeming to think that they 

 had done enough of mountaineering after an ascent of 

 some two thousand feet, proceeded to instal themselves, 

 with the horses, who enjoyed a day of rest, in a pleasant 

 spot, and showed no sign of pushing the enterprise farther. 



