32 
EOMAN REMAINS. 
have never attained a level of more than 2500 feet 
above the level of the sea. Water must exist 
underground, if we may argue from the presence of 
the aoudad and the gazelle. Indeed, out of the 
line of route, amongst the hills, there are wells and 
Arab tents. The j^resence of Roman remains re- 
minds us that the country has seen more prosperous 
times. We encamped on the 11th in a w^ady, over- 
looked by the ruins of a mausoleum, which had 
assumed colossal proportions in the distance. Some 
Berber letters were carved upon its walls ; pro- 
bably by Tuaricks, who had formerly inhabited the 
district. 
One of our blacks this day killed a lefa, the 
most dangerous species of snake ; and several thobs 
or lizards were caught. The greyhound of the 
Fezzanee also ran down a hare. Next day it 
procured us a gazelle ; but with these exceptions 
ivere seen only ground-larks, and what we call in 
Lincolnshire water-wagtails. 
It is worth mentioning that at this place our 
chaouch sprained his ankle, and Dr.Overweg applied 
spirits of camphor as lotion. This terrible fellow, 
this huge swaggerer, this eater-up of ordinary timid 
mortals, was reduced to the meekness of a lamb by 
his slight accident ; and for the first time since the 
caravan was blessed with his presence did he re- 
main tranquil, breathing out from time to time a 
soft complaint. In the course of the day he had 
contrived to make himself particularly disagreeable. 
