148 
The country presented vast plains, closed with small 
hills; we kept the sea continually in sight, at some dis- 
tance. 
The ground consists of a calcareous rock, with a thin 
stratum of vegetable earth, mixed with clay and sand, 
and very fertile. The finest productions of nature arise 
from it. 
The weather was almost continually cloudy, and to- 
wards evening a mild rain fell. The thermometer at 
eight o'clock was 13°, and the hygrometer 100°, wind 
west, with heavy clouds. 
We passed two douars, a third one was established 
upon the ruins of Lela Rotma. 
Thursday, 15th March. We continued our road 
at half-past seven, direction S. W.; at a quarter after 
eight we passed a small river; and at ten, two douars 
and two farm-houses, near some ploughed ground. At 
some distance the ruins of other farm-houses were to be 
seen. At noon we passed three chapels or hermitages 
and some gardens with small houses. The plant which 
is cultivated here in abundance is called Hhenna: the 
women paint their hands and eyelids red with it. At 
two o'clock we arrived at the right banks of the river 
Morbea. The passage boat was very small, and there 
being no other, we were kept five hours before all our 
caravan got over. 
The town of Azimor is situated on the left bank of 
the river, in whose vicinity we fixed our camp about 
seven in the evening. 
The country contained vast plains, lasting all the way 
till noon, when it began to be intermixed with hills. 
The sea was always about a mile distant. The ground 
continued the same. The first appearance of vegetation 
was a large thick wood of osiers; afterwards we met all 
t 
