CH. II. DIVIDE OUR li"ORCES. 47 



of a species of furze, smaller and stiffer in habit than our 

 common gorse — the Ulex bceticus of Boissier — one of a 

 group of nearly allied forms that replace our British 

 species in the south of Spain and Portugal, and the neigh- 

 bouring shores of Marocco. 



On rejoining our so-called escort, we agreed that the 

 track was too steep to make riding pleasant ; and thus we 

 all descended on foot till near the foot of the mountain, 

 when a proper care for their dignity compelled the soldiers 

 and the guide to remount. 



We returned to our quarters in the town before the 

 sun had set, and closed a very enjoyable day by reviewing 

 our botanical prizes as we laid them into paper to undergo 

 the first step in the process of their preservation. As 

 usual the evening cigar accompanied our discussion as to 

 future proceedings, and to its soothing influence we 

 doubtless owe the fact that these debates always led to a 

 satisfactory conclusion. On this occasion we agreed to 

 divide our small party into two sections and separate 

 for a few days. Maw was anxious to return at once to 

 Tangier, with a view to visit some swamps that lie about 

 ten miles south-west of the town, while Hooker and Ball 

 were desirous of examining the coast between Tetuan and 

 Ceuta. As it appeared that a small stock of Spanish 

 would serve aU necessary purposes in the excursion to 

 Ceuta, Maw volunteered to take our disagreeable inter- 

 preter and one unnecessary soldier back to Tangier, while 

 Bulbo was willing to risk a visit to the infidels at Ceuta. 



On the morning of the 12th Maw departed, but 

 Hooker was unwell. It was decided that a quiet day 

 and the judicious exhibition of moderate doses of cognac, 

 which we owed to the kindness of the Spanish consul, 

 would be the most appropriate treatment ; and the result 

 was quite satisfactory. 



Ball spent the day in botanising over the hills near 

 the town, and was well satisfied with the result. The 

 rarest plant found was, perhaps, a curious and very dis- 



