14 ABBA GARIMA. 
where the strata lie horizontally, the forms presented by these hills 
are generally inclining to pyramidal. The whole country is well 
watered, springs being found on almost every mountain. 
" As we advanced, the country bore a better appearance ; the 
plains wei^e covered with richer soil, but for want of draining were 
much swamped from the springs above. We had advanced about 
nine miles, ascending and descending, when we mounted a ridge 
that brought us in sight of the church of Abba Garima, which, 
though not in the straight road to Adowa, I determined to visit. 
In order to reach this building, we had to cross a nearly circular 
valley, closed in on all sides with high but irregular hills. A 
stream of water runs through this valley, and wild date trees, at 
that time covered with fruit, were scattered over its surface. From 
having found this tree only in the neighbourhood of religious 
houses of unknown antiquity, I am led to conjecture that it was in- 
troduced by the Christian fathers who came hither from Egypt. 
The church of Abba Garima is said to have been built in the 
reign of Guebra Mascal, about the year 5 GO; it is situated on a low 
projection of the circular ridge, by which the valley is bounded on 
the north-west, and is not very difficult of access. It is surrounded 
by oxy-cedars and daroo trees of luxuriant growth, and wild date 
trees of so great a height as to have the appearance of cocoa-nut 
trees. 
The road, winding to the church, is much incommoded with 
large and rugged masses of rocks, among the crevices of which 
runs a trickling stream ; from the head of this path, thirty rough 
steps lead up to a wretched shed, forming the porch of the church. 
We passed through this into an open area walled round, in tliQ 
