114 EXCURSION TO LAHADJ. 
At three, we re-commenced our journey. About half a mile 
from the tomb we entered a deep wood of large and spreading 
trees, of a species of mimosa, called by the Arabs Sa-muk. This 
wood extends about eight miles across, and is said to occupy two 
days march in length, lying in an east and west direction. 
Numbers of goats and camels are seen in every quarter wander- 
^ ing about it, which, at this season of the year, are chiefly fed on 
the leaves and tender branches of the trees. From the flesh and 
milk of these animals whole tribes of Bedowee derive their sub- 
sistence. 
The road leading out of the wood opens upon a barren plain 
covered with hillocks composed of a fine loose sand, which, con- 
stantly drifting from place to place, prevents the growth of a 
single blade of vegetation. This desolate scene, though only five 
miles across, conveyed to my mind a much stronger image of a 
desert that might be fatal to man and beast,'' than any I had 
before passed. When we had crossed it, the return to the gradual 
appearance of verdure was peculiarly grateful to the eye, and 
soon afterwards we reached a highly rich and cultivated track of 
land bordering on the town of Lahadj. Here we found wheat, 
juwarry and cotton flourishing with great luxuriance, the 
ground being intersected by artificial dykes, supplied with water 
by means of those simple machines common throughout Arabia 
and Egypt. The whole country, besides, was interspersed with 
date trees. 
As we approached the town of Lahadj, we were met by a 
deputation, headed by the Dola of the place, who conducted us 
forwards, surrounded by his Ascari, who marched on wildly 
