MUCCULLAH. 65 
summit. The ridges over which our road lay were partly culti- 
vated, and by no means difficult of ascent. On the highest point 
over which we passed were the ruins of a village, and beyond, 
almost concealed by high trees of luxuriant growth, was a pictu- 
resque village called Haraque. Our guide, Guebra Selasse, and a 
chief who was going by, both dismounted from their mules as they 
passed the church, a mark of respect which is generally paid by 
the Christians of this country. Our descent was rapid from one 
hill to another, the tops of all which were well clothed with plants 
of various kinds. On a rising ground to our right was a village of 
considerable extent called Lahaina, from which place our road, 
turning a little more to the west, led through a more cultivated 
country, thickly set with Acacia and brushwood and flowering 
shrubs ; at the bottom of one of the hills was a brook, the banks of 
which were shaded by the kantulfa, which I here met with for the 
first time. It runs among other low trees, and being then in blossom, 
made by no means an unpicturesque appearance. After passing 
several more hills we came in sight of Muccullah, in the vicinity of 
which, on the top of a hill, is a large church, that forms a very con- 
spicuous object across the plain. The land about the town is in a 
high state of cultivation; the soil consists of a rich black loam. We 
found the Ras at this place. He had just finished his morning's re- 
past ; but after receiving me very cordially, and having seated me 
on the couch beside him, he ordered some beef to be grilled, which, 
though brought to me nearly raw, I eat with great satisfaction, 
the journey having given me a very keen appetite. After drink- 
ing four brulhes of maize, (without which the Ras would not per- 
mit me to depart), I begged leave to retire, and was led to a small 
