Chap. XXXIX. VIEW OF THE TSA'd. 
43 
strips or articles of dress. Indeed, gabaga or cot- 
ton strips, and kiilgu, or white cotton shirts, are the 
best articles which a traveller, who wants to procure 
fish for his desert journey by way of Bilma (where 
dry fish is the only article in request), can take with 
him. 
At the well on the north side of the town, which 
does not furnish very good water, the horsemen be- 
longing to our troop awaited the camels. Only a few 
scattered hajilfj {Balanites JEgyptiaca) and stunted 
talha-trees spread a scanty shade over the stubble- 
fields, which were far from exhibiting a specimen of 
diligent cultivation ; and I was very glad when, having 
taken in a small supply of water, we were again in 
motion. We soon left the scanty vestiges of cultiva- 
tion behind us, and some bushes of the siwak ( Capparis 
sodata) began to enliven the country. At eleven 
o'clock, having mounted a low range of sand-hills, we 
obtained a first view of the Tsad, or rather of its inun- 
dations. The whole country now began to be clothed 
with siwak. Having kept for about half an hour 
along the elevated sandy level, we descended, and 
followed the lower road, almost hidden by the thickest 
vegetation. This lower road, as well as our whole track 
to Ngegimi, became entirely inundated at a later period 
(in 18.54), and will perhaps never more be trodden : 
in consequence, when I came this way in 1855 we were 
obliged to make a circuit, keeping along the sandy 
level nearer to the site of the ancient town of Wiidi. 
Shortly afterwards we encamped, where the under- 
wood had left a small open space, at the eastern foot 
