2G6 EEMAINS OF ANCIENT DWELLINGS. ch. x. 



When the engrossing interest of the distant view had 

 so far subsided as to let us pay attention to nearer objects, 

 we were struck by the unexpected appearance of consider- 

 able remains of dwellings on a platform of level ground, 

 only a few feet below the actual summit of the mountain. 

 About a dozen rude stone dwellings, all in a ruinous con- 

 dition, with chambers sunk a couple of feet below the 

 level of the ground, and the roofs fallen in, had at some 

 former period been here erected ; but we saw no traces of 

 recent occupation. It seemed most probable that they 

 were intended as shelter for herdsmen, who had driven 

 their flocks in summer to this lofty station. 



As we lingered on the topmost point of the mountain, 

 the intense silence of the scene was broken by the distant 

 scream of a large grey eagle that soared over our heads, 

 and then sailed away southward over the Sous valley, 

 making the deep stillness still more sensible than 

 before. 



The interval allowed for musing was not long ; there 

 was still much to be done, and we started to our feet to 

 make ready for the descent. The observations for altitude 

 had still to be recorded, and the usual difficulty of ascer- 

 taining the temperature of the air was here experienced. 

 With a hot sun falling on an exposed rocky ridge, it is 

 impossible to isolate the instrument from the effects of 

 radiation. The result is usually to register too high a 

 temperature ; but the effect of placing the thermometer 

 in a cleft where the rock is much below the temperature 

 of the air leads to error in the opposite direction. The 

 temperature here adopted was 60° Fahr., and the result 

 of a comparison with Mogador gives a height a few feet 

 above 11,000 feet, while the comparison with Iminteli 

 falls a little below that level, the mean adopted being 

 exactly 10,992 feet (3,350-1 m.) 



After bottling a few beetles that were brought to light 

 by turning over some flat stones, we gave a last glance 

 at the ridge of Anti-Atlas, and at a quarter-past three 



