66 
TRAVELS IN AFRICA. 
Chap. LIY. 
which I had seen on ray first approach to Sudan, in 
the valley of Boghel. 
Wednesday, The night was very cold, in fact one of 
December 22nd. fj ie co l(^ es t which I experienced on my 
whole journey, the thermometer being only 8° above 
freezing-point ; but nevertheless, there being no wind, 
the cold was less sensibly felt, and my servants 
were of opinion thai; it had been much colder the 
previous day, when the thermometer indicated 22° 
more. 
As the natron lake did not lie in my direct route, I 
sent the greater part of my people, together with the 
camels, straight on to Badamuni, while I took only 
my two body-guards, the Gatroni and the Shiiwa, with 
me. The country presented the same appearance as 
on the previous day ; but there was less cultivation, 
and the diim palm gradually became predominant. 
In one place there were two isolated deleb palms. 
Several specimens of the Kajilia were also observed. 
The level was broken by numerous hollows, the bottom 
being mostly covered with rank grass, and now and 
then even containing water. In front of us, three de- 
tached eminences stretched out into the plain from 
north to south, the natron lake being situated at the 
western foot of the central eminence, not far from a 
village called Magajiri. When we had passed this 
village, which was full of natron, stored up partly in 
large piles, partly sewn into " takrufa," or matting 
coverings, we obtained a view of the natron lake, lying 
before us in the hollow at the foot of the rocky 
