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394 FIELD OF EXTINCT CRATERS. 



subject, by seeing in that direction a cloud of some 

 thousands of the white ibis moving along the 

 horizon. They were much smaller than the 

 Egyptian ibis, and more like the paddy bird of 

 India. 



Towards the latter end of our march to-day the 

 field of extinct craters again appeared, the cones 

 much larger, and increasing in height as they 

 approached the base of Hyhilloo and Abhidah. The 

 trees and shrubs clothing their sides seemed thicker 

 and more luxuriant; and the ground over which 

 we marched was covered with light green grass, a 

 small lemon-flavoured fragrant mint, and the little 

 blue-flowered thorny-leaved plant of which the 

 camels appear to be so fond. This latter grows 

 about four or five inches high, the numerous 

 flowerets growing along a spike like an ear of 

 wheat, and when the seed is ripe it is not unlike, 

 in form or size, shrivelled corn. 



Ohmed Mahomed was very ill this morning, and 

 obliged to ride his mule. Another awkward cir- 

 cumstance upon the march was a camel, subject 

 to epileptic fits, falling, was obliged to be 

 unloaded. The Kafilah people all attributed it to 

 Jinn, and as the animal stumbled as if he were 

 drunk, it was not a bad cause to assign for his 

 complaint, especially as he was laden with a few 

 dozens of choice Geneva going up for the use of 

 the Mission in Shoa. This, by the bye, had got the 

 name of " hubble-bubble," from the rattling of the 



