CH. XII. DWELLINGS OF THE TROGLODYTES. 301 



judge, the watercourse running through the defile receives 

 the drainage of only a small tract of hill country, and the 

 marks of water action do not extend to the rocks on either 

 side. It is impossible to see these remains without 

 being reminded of the notions current in antiquity as to 

 troglodytes who dwelt in the neighbourhood of the Atlas 

 mountains, and who could run faster than horses ; ' but 

 until the dwellings can be carefully examined, all specula- 

 tion as to their date and origin must be vague and unre- 

 liable. It seems most probable that the rude savages who 

 fashioned them for their own use deliberately chose 

 positions offering the best security against attack, either 

 from human enemies or wild beasts. Whether to facili- 

 tate entrance they used a rude ladder, such as the notched 

 trunk of a tree, or relied on the superior climbing power 

 which the freer use of the foot confers on most savage 

 people, must remain uncertain. 



As usual in this country the Moors refer these^ as well 

 as all other antique remains, to the ' Christians,' and 

 stories of concealed treasure connected with all such 

 monuments, of whatever date, make it almost impossible 

 to attempt to explore or examine them. The work can 

 be undertaken only by a traveller authorised by a special 

 order of the Sultan, who should also be prepared by hand- 

 some presents to secure the goodwill ofthe local authorities, 



* ToVTUP 5e KaOujrepOey Aldioires <^kqvv 

 Hfvoi yrjv pefi.6fi.evai BripuiSii, SieiXrififiivriv 

 ipefft fiey6.Kois, ^| Siv petv tpam rhv 

 Af|op, ■Jrep] 3e to. Sprj KaroiKetv kvBpttnrQvs 

 aWoiOfi6ptj)ovSf TpcayKoSiras ' otrs 

 raxvrepous %-mruv 4v Sp6flois 

 eippa^ov 01 At^iral, 



Hanno 'Periplus,' 7. Text of C. Miiller. 

 Contrary to the opinion of most commentators, we are disposed to 

 think that the river Lixus of Hanno is the Sons. The description, ' a 

 large river of Libya, said to iiow from the great mountains,' must refer 

 either to the Sous or the Draha ; but it is not likely that at any period 

 there can have been a considerable population about the mouth of the 

 Draha, as there evidently was at the place commemorated by Hanno. 



