MS - AGORA. 
majestically in the distant horizon. The weather now becoming- 
intensely warm, the thermometer having risen to 80°, we stopped 
during the heat of the day^ by the side of a stream, to refresh our- 
selves, near a village called Shela, where, in the course of my 
search after rare plants, I discovered some water cresses, which I 
pointed out with peculiar pleasure to Mr. Pearce, from his hav- 
ing long been seeking for them in vain. The Abyssinians 
attending us, were also much gratified by the discovery of a tree 
found only in this part of the country, from the bark of which 
they are accustomed to form matches for their fire-arms. The 
inner riod is the part used for this purpose, which, after being 
thoroughly bruised on a large stone, is twisted round a stick, and 
carefully dried in the sun, and this, without further preparation^ 
makes an admirable match. The tree is a species of narrow- 
leaved ficus, and is called by the natives Chekumt. During its 
stay on this spot, the party shot no less than six brace of guinea- 
fowl and partridges, both of which were found in large coveys, 
consisting of fifty or sixty birds, and they were occasionally seen 
to rest on the tops of trees. . 
In the afternoon we entered upon a more cultivated country, 
where the province of Avergale commences, inhabited by the 
Agows, and in the course of the evening we arrived at a town 
called Agora, at which place a duty is collected on all salt car- 
ried into the interior. Here we took up our residence for the 
night, at the house of an old servant of the Ras, named Guebra 
Mehedin, who had come out to meet us, and at this time held 
command of the district. This chief was distinguished throughout 
the country, from his having, about two years before, killed a lion 
