CHAP. IV. 
MORZOUK. 
163 
as if living many miles apart. No intermarriages or civilities exist 
between them, and a chance visitor from one town seldom escapes 
insult from the people of the other. In Benewazeed is a spring 
sufficiently large to supply both these places, as well as their 
gardens. There are five channels from it, by which the water is 
distributed in equal shares, at a certain allowance, in proportion to 
the houses or gardens to be watered. A'^^hen the allowance for one 
place is poured into its proper channel, it is then dammed up, and 
another is supplied. There are people regularly appointed from 
each town to attend the distribution. The water is said to be 
rather warm and quite fresh, and runs in a channel communicating 
with the Mosque, through which it passes. There are many small 
rooms, into which those who wish to bathe in performing their 
ablutions may retire. The mouadden, or minaret of this jNIosque 
is very high, and may be seen at the distance of a day's journey. 
Each town has a Sheikh, and the two are under the command of a 
Kaid appointed by the Bashaw. There are no manufactories, but 
it is well supplied by the constant concourse of traders who pass 
through it. Many ostriches are caught in the neighbouring desert, 
and the feathers form an extensive article of commerce with Tripoli. 
In the southern half of the walls is a tribe of Arabs living by them- 
selves, called Oulad Belail. From Ghadams to Iddri, in the Wadey 
Shirghi of Fezzan, is eight days ; and to Ghraat, twenty days short 
journeys, or fifteen summer days. 
September. — All the people were this month busily employed 
in getting in their soft dates, which were in great plenty, and 
became their chief support. There are two harvests of this fruit ; 
one while the dates are soft, the other the latter end of October 
and beginning of ISTovember, when they are dried and candied. 
Eeports were brought from Tripoli that it was the intention of 
the Bashaw to send out another Sultan to supersede IMukni, and 
Y 2 
