BAHR ASSAL. 125 



surface, a group of natives, busily engaged in col- 

 lecting it with their camels and asses, reminding 

 me of a scene not unlike one in the panorama of the 

 Arctic voyages, representing the Esquimaux with 

 their sledges and dogs upon the surface of the 

 snow. 



We soon descended the very gradual descent 

 from the Alephanta Pass, through which we had 

 just come, and commenced walking across one por- 

 tion of the salt crust of the lake, which now 

 extended in its full proportions before us. Its 

 appearance was very novel, and I examined it with 

 considerable interest, as it is a very remarkable 

 feature of the country of Adal, and a most im- 

 portant one to the inhabitants, being the chief 

 source of wealth and a great inducement to useful 

 occupation to the different tribes who surround it 

 for the distance of several days' journey. 



