EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 235 
During the rainy feafon, the ground on which it ftands is 
furrounded by a iiDadi or torrent. Fronting it to the Eaft, (for 
the town extends from North to South,) is a mountain or rock, 
diftinguifhed by the fame appellation. It is not memorable for 
its height, nor indeed for any thing but as being the refort of 
hyenas and jackals ; yet it forms part of a ridge of hills, or 
rocks, for there is little earth on them, which runs from North 
to South for many leagues. 
The inhabitants are fupplied with water from wells, of fmall 
depth, which are dug within the inclofure of many of the 
houfes ; but the beft of them are thofe which are in or near the 
bed of the torrent. The water is generally turbid, and though 
not apparently polfefTrng any injurious quality, has often an 
ungrateful flavour. The quantity too is not always equal to the 
public confumption, which fometimes throws the people into 
difficulties before the periodical return of the rains. Their man- 
ner of digging is fo unfkilful, that the foil often collapfes ; and 
the fame well is feldom ufeful for more than three or four 
months fucceffively. 
There are fome villages, at fmall diftances, in various direc- 
tions from Cobbe, which are dependent on it, and increafe its 
apparent population. To the N. E. by N. Hellet Hajfan^ inha- 
bited altogether by the people of Dongola. It has been ^governed 
many years by the ChaMr Haffaji ivullad Nafr^ one of the oldeft 
* Here is one among many inftances of tacit fubmiffion to the authority of 
the head of a tribe, though unfurniflied with any exprefs deputation from the 
government. 
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