WELLS OF SIBICIA. 
139 
slaves, who were of our party, were more fortunate than I 
was ; a small portion of the good water was given to them. 
At a hundred and fifty feet from the salt wells, there is 
another, the water of which is fit to drink, but it was nearly 
dry ; several Moors passed part of the day in emptying it, 
and towards sunset I could quench my thirst at my ease. 
On the 26th, I was awakened at one in the morning : 
we proceeded N. N. E. between two hills sixty or seventy 
fathoms in height, composed of great blocks of grey quartz 
and some granites of the same colour : many mimosas 
and hedysarurn alfiagi grow in this defile, the soil of which 
consists of grey sand. So long was it since I had seen any 
thing similar in point of vegetation, that I thought myself in 
the most beautiful country in the world. 
About eight in the morning, we entered a plain of black 
sand, in which we perceived here and there spots resembling 
little islands covered with herbage and mimosas. In pro- 
portion as we approached the limits of the desert, nature 
appeared less desolate. At eleven, we halted upon loose 
sand : we experienced the whole day a stifling heat, which 
created a dreadful thirst ; as night drew on, some rice was 
boiled as usual for supper. About ten o'clock on the same 
day, we started towards the N. N. over a soil broken 
by deep ravines, on the edge of which some vegetation ap- 
peared. Our progress was slow, for the camels were al- 
lowed to graze as they went on; we proceeded but two 
miles an hour. 
At nine in the morning of the 27th, we stopped by the 
wells of Sibicia, situated between blocks of pale rose-co- 
loured granite, and surrounded by a pleasant grove of date- 
trees, the verdure of which presented an agreeable contrast 
with the rest of the soil. The water of these wells, which 
are only seven or eight feet deep, is clear and delicious to 
drink. 
About six in the evening, being occupied in prayer, we 
