272 ANOTHER APPEAL FROM ARROUND. ch. xi. 



the climate of this region as compared with somewhat 

 similar positions in higher latitudes on the north and 

 east sides of the Mediterranean. Although the sun at 

 noon now approached within less than 15 degrees of the 

 zenith, the temperature in the shade was pleasantly 

 cool, scarcely rising ahove 70° F. At the same season, 

 and at a greater height, on the Lehanon we have seen 

 the thermometer stand above 80° in the shade by day, 

 and scarcely fall to 70° at night. This is mainly due to 

 the cool winds that prevail along the coast, and extend 

 some way inland, though not much felt in summer in the 

 city of Marocco. As we rode along the eastern flank of 

 the valley, and down the slopes above Amsmiz, we were 

 pleasantly fanned by a NW. breeze that often lasts 

 throughout the day, but subsides at night. 



On the brow of the declivity overlooking Amsmiz, we 

 met a messenger from Arround, our stopping-place at the 

 head of the Ait Mesan valley, come to implore our pro- 

 tection for the unfortunate inhabitants, whose appeal to 

 us had only brought them into fresh trouble. The story 

 had of course been reported to the Vice-Grovernor (El 

 Graoui's deputy) with the circumstance of the sacrifice of 

 the sheep. He had resented this attempt to escape from 

 his authority, had had some of the suppliants severely 

 beaten, and sent two more men of the village to prison. 

 It seemed very doubtful whether any interference on our 

 part might not merely aggravate the condition of these 

 unfortunate people. We promised, however, to do what 

 we could for them ; and before we left Mogador it was 

 reported, whether truly or falsely, that we had been suc- 

 cessful in our intercession. 



On returning to our camp at Amsmiz we found work 

 in abundance ready to hand. Our precious collections 

 from the Ait Mesan valley, including, as they did, the 

 most interesting results of our expedition, had been 

 lying for three days untouched ; and it was necessary to 

 go through them all again, putting into separate parcels 



