70 
This part of the country is composed of spacious 
plains, extending beyond the visible horizon on the east. 
Towards the north is a chain of pretty high mountains; 
whose foot we had skirted. To the south, at a great 
distance was another chain of mountains; and to the 
west a collection of small hills. 
The ground, which is sandy, with a very little clay^ 
produces nothing but palms, without any other sign of 
cultivation, excepting some olive woods at the termina- 
tion of Mequinez. I saw two douars about half a mile 
off to the left, and close by the mountains. 
The sky was dull, and towards the evening became 
quite black. A heavy rain and violent wind accompa- 
nied us to the lodging which had been prepared for 
us. 
I had sent before me two soldiers, with an order from 
the minister to keep open the gates of Fez till I arrived. 
This was done; and thus happily ended my first excur- 
sion into Africa. 
By the observations which I made on the road, I 
found that my caravan had advanced about two miles an 
hour. But on the way from Mequinez to Fez, we tra- 
velled at the rate of two miles and an half in the hour. 
CHAPTER VIII. 
Description of Fez.— Government.— Sciences.— Manufactures.— Nareotie plant* 
—Food. — Climate.— Earthquake. 
The town of Fez is situated 34° 6' 3" north latitude, 
and 71° 8' 30 f west from the observatory at Paris. 
This calculation is founded on numerous observa- 
tions, made with most excellent instruments, purchased 
