CHAP. VII. GENERAL ACCOUNT OF FEZZAN. 
271 
Jy1, Thamaran ^^J^, and Deesa <Uljj, and a few trees of the mimosa 
species, called TaUih ^Slls. It is only in the immediate vicinity of 
towns that palms are cultivated, and a Httle corn and a few esculents 
raised with much difficulty and labour. Nothing is more incorrect 
than the opinion so generally held of the fertihty of the Oases. 
Fezzan may, without scruple, be said to stand in the desert, and 
is not to be distinguished from it on the score of fertihty. The soil, 
where soft, is almost all sand ; but under the surface, near Morzouk, 
a kind of white clay is found, which, on being mixed with the sand, 
becomes tolerably productive. The small spots of ground which 
are at all cultivated, are fertile ; but the immense labour requisite 
to keep the ground moist, deters the labourers from forming gardens 
of above an acre in size. Some of the spots so called, are not above 
forty or sixty feet square. The water is drawn by asses, and the 
machinery is very complicated. Soda, called Trona j^J^\, rock salt, 
alum, Shub gypsum, saltpetre, and, as I was told, sulphur, are 
found in this country ; the first three in very large quantities, which 
form articles of trade. The Soda is produced at or near Germa, in 
the wadey Shiati ; the salt and alum in many places, but more par- 
ticularly in the eastern districts. There is one plain of solid salt 
near Mafen, which is nearly thirty miles in length. 
The animals found in Fezzan are. 
The Tiger Cat, rather fierce. 
Hycena, in great numbers, and very savage. 
Jackal. Numerous. They approach very near the towns. 
Foob\ Scarce, and much smaller than those of Europe. 
Wadan. A very fierce buffalo, of the size of an ass, having large 
tufts of hair from the shoulders, and very long heavy horns. 
Red Buffalo. A clumsy animal, easily taken. 
