lOO 
MR- LUCAS'S 
the flelh of the camel, and that of the antelope ; and with a 
great variety of fruits^ and of garden vegetables. 
Fezzan produces a fufEciency of fait for tlie confumption o£ 
its own inhabitants. 
The water in general has a mineral tafte ; yet fome of the 
fprings are pure ; but the favourite beverage confifts of a liquor 
which the date tree, like the palm, affords. At firfl: it polTelles^ 
the mild flavour and cooling quality of orgeat ; but acquires^, 
when fermented, an acefcent tafte and intoxicating flrength that 
are ftill more highly valued. 
To the palm the lofs of fo large a proportion of its lap is ge- 
nerally fatal ; but the hardier date tree recovers from its wound^ 
and in the courfe of two or three years regains its former health. 
In their Religion the people of Fezzan are rigid Mahome* 
tans ; not intolerant to the opinions of others, but ftrid and fu- 
perflitious in the obfervance of their own. 
The Government, of Fezzan is purely monarchical ; but its 
powers, which feem to be reflrided by the influence of opinion, 
are 
