130 
CHAIN OF HILLS. 
ran out at the seams, in spite of all we could do. Some of 
the Trajacants set off before us. 
On the 3rd, at five in the morning, we proceeded to the 
N. W. first crossing a chain of hills, and then travelling over 
a soil composed of black gravel, with flat, sharp-edged stones. 
We halted about half past eleven in a plain, in which were a 
few thorny plants for the camels to feed on. As we had 
plenty of water, we boiled a little rice with some morsels of 
camel's flesh, which had been dried in the sun, and were as 
hard as leather. After this savoury repast, we lay down on 
the ground by our baggage, to rest. 
On the 4th, at two in the morning, we prepared for de- 
parture, and directed our course N. N. W. till towards eleven; 
we travelled at first over very hard sand, and then crossed a 
chain of hills stretching from E. to W. About two in the 
afternoon, we halted, very much fatigued, because we had 
had to ascend the hills of loose sand amongst which we had 
encamped over night. I have observed that fodder is more 
abundant in these hilly tracts than it is elsewhere. I looked 
in vain for shells on these mountains ; a search which was 
suggested by the idea that the sea may formerly have co- 
vered the site of these immense deserts. 
