CH. Til. GUM EUPHORBIUM PLANT. 163 



colour of the seed vessel, and differed much in general 

 aspect, though not widely in structure, from the common 

 T. gallica. The river-bed is probably the natural channel 

 of the stream that flows below Tasseremout, part of which 

 is diverted into irrigation channels, but during rainy wea- 

 ther resumes its original course. 



As the sun declined the clouds cleared away from the 

 higher ridges of the Atlas, of which we enjoyed the finest 

 view we had yet attained. Nearly due east and thence 

 bearing towards ESE., was a group of high summits which, 

 to judge from several large patches of snow, must be quite 

 as lofty as that nearer to us. Between this, which belongs 

 as we believe to the district called Glaoui, and the nearer 

 range it was clear that a considerable valley runs deep into 

 the chain. The drainage of this vaUey must flow to the 

 Oued Tensift ; but whether that be the main eastern branch 

 of the river, or an affluent not indicated on the maps, is as 

 yet uncertain. 



After dinner, we adjourned from our tent to pay our 

 promised visit to the Kaid, who, according to custom, had 

 green tea served in a small low room, which was reached 

 through intricate passages. As a matter of course, the 

 object of our journey was the chief topic of conversation. 

 Among other plants we spoke of the furbioun,^ or Gutti 

 Euphorbium, which we knew to be produced by a cactoid 

 Euphorbia that grows about the base of the Great Atlas, 

 east of the city of Marocco. Concurrent native testis 

 mony fixes the province of Demenet as its chief home ; and 

 it must be very rare, or altogether absent, in the districts 

 traversed by us, as it is scarcely possible that it should 

 have been overlooked. Apparently conciliated by some 

 trifling presents, the Kaid informed us that he had in his 

 garden some plants brought from Demenet, and ofiered 

 one of these, which was safely forwarded to Kew, as a gift 

 to Hooker. 



' See Appendix D- 



