133 
fell, with an easterly wind; at a quarter past six the 
thermometer was at 13°, the hygrometer at 98°, and the 
barometer at 27 inches 4' 7", which considering the 
above-mentioned state of the atmosphere, proves that my 
height above the level of the sea was less considerable 
than at Fez, though I found myself to be between the 
mountains. 
In the morning, as we passed a douar, two of its chiefs 
came out into the road, in order to ask me to pray for 
them. I stopped my horse, and lifting up my hands, I 
did as they wished. These good people, not knowing 
how to express their thanks, kissed my knees a hun- 
dred times. The same thing recurred at almost all the 
douars which I passed. 
Wednesday, 29th. In the morning we had heavy 
showers, and my suite could not set off till near eleven. 
We took our direction W.N.W., marching continual- 
ly up hill, for above half an hour, when we began 
to descend; between three and four we emerged from 
the narrow pass, and I found myself out of the mountains, 
with an extensive country in prospect. We now cros- 
sed the plain to the west till half past five; then crossing 
the road to Tangier and the river Ordom, we encamped 
on the left banks. 
The ground of this part of the country is quite clayey. 
The mountains contain some rocks of coarse marble 
and compact clay, in sloping beds, and in many places 
confined. The defile is cut in the soft sandy part of 
the rock. In general these beds of clay are very thick, 
and some above fifteen feet. 
From the moment we passed the mountains, I found 
vegetation very much advanced; the grass stood very 
high in the meadows, and the beautiful flowers grew in 
such abundance that the coup de oeil was superior to the 
finest gardens in Europe. 
