230 The Abyssinian Expedition. 



the present year, at Magdala, where our fellow-countrymen are 

 confined, the heat at sunrise was never less than 41° Fah., the 

 usual range being from 44° to 55°. At noon the lowest point 

 reached in the four months was 57°, and the highest 84°, from 

 60° to 80° being the general range. At sunset the extreme 

 range was between 51° and 67°. There was rain on 19 days 

 only out of the 120, and then chiefly at night. The air was 

 generally calm. The sky was slightly clouded during January, 

 March, and April, but clear in February. As Magdala is quite 

 in the south, far in the interior of the country, and stands on 

 an elevation by no means excessive compared with the general 

 plateau, this may probably be taken as a fair estimate of the 

 general weather of the winter and spring. Nearer the coast 

 the rains are probably heavier, and the temperature more 

 excessive, but there is nothing to render it likely that any 

 serious difficulties will be incurred, either from heat or malaria, 

 during the dry season. In May, however, the heavy rains 

 begin, and from that time to October the country is less 

 healthy. 



It seems to be determined, from observations made by 

 actual survey, that the best point to enter Abyssinia for a 

 warlike expedition from India will be the island and port of 

 Massowah, near Annesley Bay. The island is described by 

 Mr. Mansfield Parkyns* as " a mere rock of coral, scarcely a 

 mile long, and half that in breadth, without a vestige of vegeta- 

 tion to enliven its bare face" (Vol. i., pp. 77, 80). The climate 

 in summer is detestable. Moncooloo, on the mainland, is 

 about four miles from the anchorage of Massowah, and some- 

 what cooler and less unpleasant than the island. From this 

 place the first terrace on the way up to the great plateau of 

 Abyssinia is reached at Ailat, a distance of twenty-seven miles 

 nearly due west. The plain of Ailat is already nearly 800 

 feet above the sea, and is reached with comparative facility by 

 a gradual rise to an elevation of 989 feet, and then a descent 

 of 200 feet. Water is obtainable about half way from a 

 natural spring, but may always be found by digging a few feet. 

 This terrace of Ailat is about five miles broad, and covered in 

 winter with the richest verdure. Here arc hot springs, that 

 have been used from time immemorial for curative purposes, 

 and are still frequented. 



Without going so far as Ailat, it is easier to enter the high 

 lands by branching at a certain point, and then the road is well 

 marked by a number of stations, not more than ten miles 

 apart, as far as Kiaguor, sixty miles from Moncooloo, and on 

 the main plateau of Hamozeya, above 6000 feet above the sea. 

 About thirty miles beyond is a very healthy spot, with a very 

 * "Life in Abvsjinia," 2 vols, 1853. 



