344 
BENGAZI. 
In the immediate neighbourhood of the palm-trees above men- 
tioned (we mean those to the N.E. of Bengazi) are the sand-hills, 
which form (together with the date-trees) the most remarkable ob- 
jects on this part of the coast. The occasional mixture of a little 
manure with the sand, and the decay of vegetable matter, have con- 
tributed to produce at the foot of these hills a very excellent soil ; 
portions of which are inclosed witliin hedges of the prickly-pear and 
aloe, and near them may be seen a few miserable huts, the abodes of 
the several proprietors. The chief produce of these little gardens 
may be stated to be — melons and pumpkins of several kinds, melon- 
zani, or egg-plants, cucumbers, tomatas, red and green peppers, and 
some few of the plants called bamia. 
The sand itself, with a little labour, is also made to produce very 
abundantly ; so much so, that any one who had seen the place only 
in the summer time, would scarcely recognise it as the same in the 
winter season, when covered with luxuriant vegetation. The right 
of cultivation appears to be general ; and a piece of ground may be 
said to belong to the first person who takes the trouble of inclosing 
and working it. This, in fact, is no more than just; since the culti- 
certain it will produce me nothing;” and then approaching the tree, he proceeds to give 
it two or three strokes with his hatchet. — “ Pi'ay now! I entreat you, desist” (says the 
mediator, holding back the arm of the proprietor) — “ Do but observe what a fine tree it 
IS, and have patience for this one season more ; should it fail after that to bear you any 
fruit, you may do with it just Avhat you please.” The owner of the tree then allows him- 
self to be persuaded, and retires without proceeding to any further extremities. But 
the threat, and the few strokes inflicted with the hatchet, have always, it is said, the de- 
sired effect ; and the terrified palm-tree produces the same year a most abundant supply 
of fine dates I ! 1 (Extract from Kazwini, Chr6stomathie Ai’abe, tom. iii. p. 319.) 
