222 
the chief part of their food. It was at that moment in full 
growth; and all these plantations were guarded by men 
who were busy in keeping off the birds, frightening 
them with continual shouts. 
Except the rivers which I have mentioned, and had 
passed, the inhabitants of the province . of Hia'ina have 
no other water than what they take from some small 
wells which they dig on the sloping part of the moun- 
tains. Most of the water from the wells is of a very bad 
taste. It is saltish, sulphureous, or mineral. The 
gutters and the beds of the torrents are often to be seen 
covered with a stratum of very white salt. I suppose 
that this country is rich in minerals; but the inhabitants 
have not the least conception of the wealth they possess. 
At several places the metallic strata are visible among 
the clay which covers them; and perpendicular rocks, 
almost entirely composed of mineral substances, rise 
here and there in the plain like insulated towers. 
The inhabitants are fond of agriculture. They con- 
fine themselves, however, to sowing great quantities 
of corn and grain. Trees they have none, and very few 
gardens and orchards. Their houses are made of earth: 
they are very small, covered with boughs, and only in- 
habited in the winter; for in the fine season these people 
live under tents, like all other Arabs. 
Wednesday, August 14th. We renewed our course 
at six in the morning between the mountains, which 
were high, and full of douars. It was about noon when 
I got into the plain. I crossed the river Werga, which 
is rather large, and runs to the W. I followed its right 
side in the same direction, till three in the afternoon, 
