CH. V, A GOVERNOR'S CASTLE. 101 



of Shedma, much less extensive than that of Hah a, but 

 apparently more fertile. The soil now sensibly improved, 

 and there were indications of more careful husbandry. 

 At the same time the larger portion of the surface re- 

 mained in a state of nature, and gratified our botanical 

 appetites by a display of many novelties. The varied 

 species of Genista, that are so conspicuous in North 

 Marocco and the Spanish peninsula, were here little 

 seen, but are replaced by several allied genera. Cytisua 

 albidus and Anagyris fcetida are especially prominent. 

 Withania fruticosa, a curious Solanaceous shrub, which 

 we had already seen near Casa Blanca and during the 

 morning ride, here became extremely common ; but what 

 most interested us was Linaria ventricosa of Cosson, a 

 large species, with stiff erect branches three or four feet 

 in height, fii'st found in the adjoining province of Haha 

 by M. Balansa, and which we afterwards saw to be widely 

 spread through South Marocco, and one of the character- 

 istic features of the flora. 



The dwarf fan- palm (Ghamcerops humilis, or palmetto 

 of the Spaniards), much less common in Marocco than it 

 is in the hotter parts of Southern Europe, was here rather 

 abundant, perhaps because it is one of the few plants that 

 the locusts are unable or unwilling to devour. 



As we rode onward, gradually ascending over a gently 

 undulating country, this became constantly more produc- 

 tive. In two or three places the people were cutting 

 tolerable crops of ripe corn ; the olive, fig, and pome- 

 granate became frequent, and for the first and last time 

 we saw the former tree cultivated with care, pruned, and 

 apparently manured. 



The sun had just set when we at length reached our 

 camp outside the large castle of the Grovernor of Shedma, 

 and found our interpreter and other attendants anxiously 

 awaiting our arrival. The tents were already pitched, 

 and our heavy luggage was in its place. We should have 

 been glad to eat a moderate repast in peace, lay out the 



