256 
TRAVELS IN NORTHERN AFRICA. 
CHAP. VI. 
which hang down round their head in bobbins of sometimes eighteen 
inches in length. 
The Arabs found many pigeons in Borgoo ; these birds emi- 
grate from Fezzan in October and November, to Kawar, Bilma, 
Borgoo, and other places to the southward. 
January 12th. Therm. 3°. Left Gatrone, and preceded the 
Ghrazzie to the wells of Wudakaire, from which place I have 
already noted the bearings to Gatrone. We slept here, and took 
care that it should be at least a mile distant from the Arabs. My 
Maherry was now in tolerable condition, owing to the care taken of 
him by the Maraboot, to whom I sent a six-bladed knife, as an 
acknowledgment for his trouble ; this he considered so splendid a 
present, that his house had a constant succession of visitors, to see 
and admire its wonderful blades, saws, &c. which were opened with 
great care, and looked on with astonishment. 
January 13th. Therm. 2°. 10'.— We left Wudakaire at 7. 20. 
and passed over a desert of sand, without a break in the horizon, N. 
10°. W. 35 miles, when at seven we arrived at Mestoota JOy^, a 
small spot of about two miles in circumference, covered with palm 
and Attila bushes ; and having a low marsh, abounding in rushes, 
and the favourite shrubs of the camels, viz. Deesa <Uvjj, Agool Jyic, 
and Dthamaran ^J^J^. There are many wells here, and an old 
ruined Arab castle. We observed the Ghrazzie to encamp about 
five miles short of this place. The Jerboas were here in immense 
quantities, and ran over our heads the whole night : they were 
even bold enough to attempt steahng a piece of bread from under 
my head. 
Friday 14th, Therm. 2°. 30'. below zero. — Water which we had 
left in a bowl over night, became ice of the thickness of half an 
inch ; and the Gerbas (water skins) were so completely frozen up 
at the necks, that we were obliged to melt them over a fire. What 
