ORCHARDS AND GARDENS. 
109 
a matter for the decision of every man's individual 
conscience. These sensible people do not think that, 
because a man is inclined to be an ascetic himself, 
he is bound to force all other people to be so like- 
wise. 
25th, — I took a walk in the gardens this evening, 
and came upon two or three small circular orchards, 
having within the circle simply room for holding 
water, like a shallow pond, with fruit-trees, vines, fig- 
trees, and pomegranates clustering around. These 
orchards, when thus formed close by the well-side, 
are very luxuriant. People now begin to sow ghaseb, 
ghafouly, dra, and such grains, which are reaped 
in the summer season. Barley and wheat are sown 
in autumn or winter, and reaped in spring. As I 
walked I noticed that the sky was darkly overcast, 
as if threatening rain ; and presently, sure enough, a 
few precious drops fell on the thirsty sandy soil ! 
1 observed a new plant, large, with broad and 
smooth thick velvety leaves, but omitted to write 
down the name. It produces a milky juice, with 
which the people dye the palms of their hands, instead 
of with henna. The plant has a disagreeable odour, 
and every appearance of being poisonous ; but they 
say it is not so, being only bitter in taste. 
2Qth. — In my morning's walk I had the coolest 
weather experienced since our arrival at Mourzuk. 
The wind was from the north-east and the sky much 
overcast. It actually rained, — a slight shower of 
ten minutes' duration. How gratefully the trees 
