246 ARRIVAL AT AMSMiZ. ch. i. 



sometimes of the consistence of clay, sometimes of a 

 more friable character, doubtless formed at the expense of 

 the portion of the Atlas at the head of the valley of the 

 Oued Nfys. 



No indications of glacial action were observed in this 

 region, or in the Amsmiz valley which we were about to 

 visit. On the way to Amsmiz we crossed a ravine fully 

 200 feet in depth, cut by a streamlet through the clay 

 beds, without reaching the underlying rock. The coun- 

 try was in great part under tillage, and, although we 

 passed no villages, must maintain a considerable popula- 

 tion. A few interesting plants were seen ; but time was 

 pressing, and we could not afford to halt. The sun set, 

 casting a brilliant red glow over the heaving plain that 

 lingered for a short space longer on the flanks of the 

 mountains which here rise more abruptly than in the dis- 

 trict near Marocco. Our course was directed towards'the 

 narrow opening of a valley, cleft through the outer range 

 of the Atlas, which we had already descried from a dis- 

 tance ; and, after a gradual descent, we arrived, about 

 8.15 P.M., some time after dark, at Amsmiz.' 



This is the most considerable place on the northern 

 declivity of the Great Atlas, and, from the number of in- 

 habitants, may deserve to rank as a town. It stands on a 

 shelf of flat rocky ground, somewhat above the level of 

 the adjoining plain, and nearly 200 feet above the stream 

 issuing from the mountains close at hand, which, for 

 want of any other name, we have called the Amsmiz tor- 

 rent. The Governor of this district was, as we learned, a 

 man of some consequence, being a nephew of El Graoui, 

 and brother-in-law of the Governor of Mogador. We con- 

 sidered it a favourable omen that, as we approached our 

 camping ground close to the town, this functionary, with 

 a motley train of torchbearers, came out to meet us, and, 

 with much show of cordiality, welcomed us to his district. 



' The final letter is nearly or quite mute, and the name would by an 

 ordinary Englishman be written Amsmee. 



