LUCx\S. 
517 
confirmed the accuracy of the ShereePs relation# 
But before the arrival of Mr Lucas in England, 
the committee of the Association had obtained a 
more decisive test of its value, in a narrative given 
by Ben Alii, a native of Marocco, of his extensive 
travels as a merchant, in the countries to the 
south of the Sahara. For, though the Moor's re- 
collection had been impaired by the lapse of SO 
years, and his remarks were those of a superficial 
observer, rather possessed of activity of mind 
than depth of judgment ; yet the general features 
of his narrative had such a similarity to the ac- 
count obtained by Mr Lucas, as to confirm the 
authenticity of the principal circumstances. 
Fezzan is a small circular territory, situated 
like an island amid the wilderness of sand. It is 
an extensive plain, surrounded by an irregular 
circle of mountains, interrupted on the west, 
where it communicates with the desert. On the 
soil, which is chiefly a light sand, no rain ever falls, 
but the vegetation is luxuriant, from the num- 
ber of subterraneous springs, which burst through 
the shallow stratum of sand, and are copiously 
supplied by the adjacent mountains. Little wheat 
is raised, but maize and barley are produced in 
considerable quantities, with pompions, carrots, 
cucumbers, onions, and garlick. The most com- 
mon trees are the date, the white thorn, and the 
talke, which, in size, resembles the small olive, 
