154 PANORAMA OF THE GEEAT ATLAS. cf. tii. 



observations previously made in the interior by M. Beau- 

 mier and M. Balansa ; but in this instance there is a 

 difference of seventy metres (or 230 English feet), M. 

 Beaumier's result being 430 metres above the sea. No 

 particulars are given by him as to the instruments used, 

 or the methods of observations and reduction, and we feel 

 no hesitation in provisionally adopting the height result- 

 ing from our own observations. 



As may well be supposed, the object that most fully 

 and constantly engaged our attention during our stay in 

 Marocco wa3 the view of the Great Atlas range, for which 

 the terraced roof of our house afforded every needful faci- 

 lity. The interest attaching to an almost unknown chain 

 of great mountains was enhanced by the hope of pene- 

 trating its recesses. We were often tantalised by finding 

 clouds hanging about the flanks, or clinging to the higher 

 peaks, as happened during the latter days of our stay, but 

 there was always enough to be seen to reward our atten- 

 tion. We were able to identify the mountain, Miltsin, 

 which Washington took to be the highest peak in the 

 Atlas chain visible from Marocco ; but we had already, 

 during the last day's journey before entering the city, 

 satisfied ourselves that there is no summit visible from the 

 plain of Marocco that can claim any marked predomin- 

 ance over its neighbours. Travelling, as we were, nearly 

 parallel to the main chain, we were far more favourably 

 placed than Washington, who approached the city from 

 the NNW., and always viewed the chain from nearly the 

 same direction. The crest is undoubtedly more sinuous 

 than it appears as laid down on the map, or when seen 

 from a distance ; some of the projecting summits are 

 therefore nearer to the eye than others ; but it appeared to 

 us then, and our subsequent experience only strengthened 

 that belief, that most of the peaks or prominences in 

 the higher portion of the chain seen from the plain of 

 Marocco, in a distance of fifty or sixty miles, attain to 

 very nearly the same height. 



