CHAP. IV. 
MORZOUK. 
169 
small channels, which are formed round the garden, while the 
women and children, with scoops, distribute it as it may be wanted. 
In some places where it is intended to allow the ground to 
" drink," the embankments are opened, and the garden is completely 
flooded ; thus the labour is very great, and absolutely necessary, 
as rain is unknown, and no dews ever fall. The people who 
attend the gardens, live in little huts constructed of palm branches, 
and about six feet in height. The dates, when quite dry, are 
buried in square holes, dug in the sand, and are afterwards covered 
over with it. Corn is made into little sheaves, and laid out until 
wanted : it is then beaten with long date-sticks, and asses are 
made to run over it. The ground on which these operations 
take place is a circle firmly clayed and quite clean : much sand 
is, however, unavoidably mixed with their corn. Pomegranate 
and fig-trees form an agreeable shade near some of the wells ; 
they are so planted, as to stand in the centre of the water channels. 
The gardens are, as I have before stated, very small ; yet it some- 
times happens, that one alone produces all the vegetables and fruits 
peculiar to the country. 
Near our house was the principal Mosque, to which the Sultan 
and ourselves went every Friday, as a matter of course ; and every 
other day, we found it necessary to appear there once or twice. It 
is a low building, having a shed projecting over the door, which, 
being raised on a platform, is entered by a few steps. A small 
turret, intended to be square and perpendicular, is erected for the 
Mouadden to call the people to prayers. One of the great lounges 
is on the seats in front of the Mosque ; and every morning and 
evening, they are full of idle people, who converse on the state of 
the markets, and on their own private affairs ; or, in a fearful 
whisper, canvass the Sultan's conduct. 
The men of Morzouk, of the better sort, dress nearly hke the 
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