208 CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY. 



were a range of peaked hills, that formed the 

 barrier between the Hawash and the sea, and the 

 western face of which formed the water-shed of 

 the Gobard river, flowing into Lake Abhibhad. 



From the appearance and general character of the 

 surrounding country, I concluded that the Abhibhab 

 Lake occupied one of those numerous and exten- 

 sive depressions, which, like large fissures, here 

 intersect the otherwise level country of Adal, 

 many of which are now filled up with the detritus 

 of the ridges around, and the marly deposition 

 from water, which, during the rains, collects in 

 them. These fissures are in variable magnetic 

 directions, but they never cross each other, and I 

 saw evidence sufficient to satisfy myself, that at 

 least in this neighbourhood, they form rays diverg- 

 ing from one common centre, which is very well 

 marked by the severed summit of Obinoe. 



After satisfying my curiosity with the excellent 

 view of the country afforded by my situation, we 

 proceeded on our journey. We soon descended 

 into the bed of a small stream running into the 

 Gobard, along the bottom of which the heavily- 

 laden camels were now slowly winding their way, 

 among numerous sweetly-smelling, white-blossomed 

 mimosas, which scented the whole valley, and 

 afforded a delicious banquet to the busy inha- 

 bitants of a natural bee-hive, so situated that to 

 all honey-eating animals, save man, it was inac- 

 cessible. It occupied a small cave on the steep 



