112 
ANT-TRACK 
LETTER FROM MOURZUK. 
Maradee has its native name of Mariadi, but if you 
were to mention this name in Mourzuk and Tripoli 
none would know the country of which you were 
speaking. In fact, it is just the same as calling- 
Florence Firenza, when speaking to persons who 
have not travelled in Tuscany, or who are un- 
acquainted with Italian. I continue much occupied 
with the Bornouese and Haussa languages, and am 
now collecting the names of insects and animals. 
This is extremely difficult, as for many of the animals 
of Soudan there are no Arabic names. 
I measured an ant-track, and found it 125 feet. 
The ants were fetching the cottony dried blossom 
of a withered plant, and were amazingly busy. The 
tracks did not wind much. I noticed, also, in my 
walk, the foot-marks of hares and many other ani- 
mals. This country is full of live things. 
Wth. — I rose before sunrise; this is the coldest 
morning I have yet had, according to the ther- 
mometer, which was only two degrees above the 
freezing point (34°). 
A circular letter arrived to-day from Aghaclez, 
addressed to all the Tuaricks, written by Mustapha 
Bey of Mourzuk, recommending them to render us 
all necessary protection. It is dated back two 
months. Probably this letter was written on ac- 
count of the unfavourable intelligence which reached 
Mourzuk respecting us. To-morrow, please God, 
we start for Soudan. 
Ylth. — Thank God! we left our encampment of 
