( 235 ) 
i 
AiiT.il. — Ohservatims on ihe Geography Mr Scott'' s Routes 
in North Africa* By Major Rensjell, F. R. S. &c. &c. 
T' HE Geographical notices contained in this narrative are 
scanty^ but appear to contain internal evidence of their truth. 
The most important part of them relate to the nature of the 
Sahara^ in the place where the traveller crossed it ; that is in its 
widest part; and which no other European, that I know of, has hi- 
therto given an account of. We have been accustomed to re- 
gard the Sahara as having a continuous surface of loose sand, 
of forty to fifty caravan journeys across ; but here it appears 
that nearly two-thirds of it have a much firmer surface than 
sand : and valleys occur in which large trees are growing. How- 
ever, no grass, nor any drinkable water, is found there, (on the 
surface at least), the soil being highly impregnated with salt, 
which is, indeed, the common character of the northern belt of 
Africa. 
The place where the Montezuma was wrecked can only be 
a|)proximated, and that by an inquiry which may appear tedi- 
ous to ordinary readers. But it happens that the place of the 
wreck, is the only point of departure that can be referred to in 
the arrangement of the position, from whence the route across 
the Great Desert or Sahara sets out. Scott himself only says 
generally, that the ship was wrecked between the Capes of Nun 
(or Noon) and Bojador, and within the province or district of 
Sachal. This is one of four contiguous provinces in this 
quarter, whose positions are described in the narrative : it is in- 
cluded between TUI on the north, and El Ghihlah on the south ; 
all the three extending along the coast of Africa, to the south- 
ward of Morocco ; and having a small portion or tongue belong- 
ing to the fourth province named Zerrohah^ (which lies inland) 
interi^ening so as to form a common boundary between Till scad 
Sachal This narrow portion of Zerrohah consists of a Wad 
or valley, which has a streamlet of water in it, and serves as a 
communication between the body of the province itself and the 
sea coast. It is named from the province to which it belongs, the 
Wad or Valley of Zerrohah. 
