TARANTA. m 
to the southward in search of plants and birds. Of the former we 
found a few new species, but did not see any birds except thrushes. 
About a quarter of a mile from the village of Hallai is a fine spring 
of water, which runs successively into several natural basons in the 
gully below. It issues out of the side of a rock, and affords a plenti- 
ful supply of water throughout the year. We felt here a very 
perceptible difference in the atmosphere, the air being cold, and in 
some degree moist, as if rain had fallen. The country around also 
was not so much parched as below. I bought four sheep for two 
dollars, two of which I ordered to be killed. The thermometer 
was 75°: our distance from Dixan was six miles and a half. 
" The master of this village, who is dignified with the title of 
Baharnegash, or Kantiba, brought us some soar (a grain) and milk 
in the evening, as also eighty cakes of bread for ourselves and 
bearers. I presented a looking glass and beads to his wife in return, 
and one dollar to the old man, with which he was well satisfied. 
November 4.— We left Hallai at day light, after having 
threshed two or three of the villagers who attempted to stop our 
baggage, for what reason I know not. We soon came to the descent 
of Taranta, for Hallai is situated on one of the heights of this 
mountain, which we walked down with much ease to ourselves and 
mules. This pass is at present incommoded with large and loose 
stones, but is capable of great improvement, if it were in the hands 
of industrious people. There is a yellow flowering shrub that was 
in great profusion on its side : the kolqual was also in flower. We 
halted at our old station at the foot of the pass, where we found se- 
veral large kafilas on their way up to Abyssinia, loaded chiefly with 
cotton. They had been here three days, and expected to remain 
