CH. XI. CURIOUS REPTILES. 287 



district. A very fine Brassica, standing five or six feet 

 high, with a straight upright stem, set with candelabrum- 

 like branches, was the most remarkable new plant found 

 by us which had not already come in the way of M. 

 Balansa. 



The morning had been cool ; the thermometer at 8 a.m. 

 did not rise above 64° F., and the sky was overclouded ; 

 but as the day went on the sun blazed out with great 

 power, and this was one of the hottest days we experienced. 

 The heat was, of course, especially felt on bare rocks which 

 became so hot that the hand could not bear them; and 

 the soldier who had gone out by way of protecting us 

 judiciously retired to the shade of a fig-tree at the foot of 

 the hill. After some time, we separated and returned to 

 the camp by different routes. A portion of the slope not 

 far above our camp was altogether covered with broken 

 blocks of moderate size obviously derived from the steeper 

 crags above. This ground abounded in reptiles of various 

 kinds, which were, however, so shy that it was not easy to 

 get a favourable view of them. By sitting perfectly still 

 for some minutes. Ball was partly successful in getting 

 them to approach him. The most remarkable creature 

 much resembled a miniature Iguanodon in form, being 

 about eighteen inches long, with a row of thick conical 

 processes projecting upwards along the back, and gradu- 

 ally diminishing towards the tail from about two inches 

 in heiffht between the shoulders. Numerous lizards were 



o 



also seen ; but no snakes, except a small black viperine 

 species, seen gliding between the stones, actually under 

 one foot, which fortunately did not touch or injure the 

 animal. 



By this time we were beginning to feel the effects of 

 the unsatisfactory dietary to which we had been reduced 

 during the four weeks since we left Mogador. It may 

 seem unreasonable for men in health, plentifully supplied 

 with fowl?, sheep, and eggs, to complain of their food ; but 

 those who have experienced the difference between the 



