50 
AFRICA AND ITS EXPLORATION. 
villages, at distances of a mile or two. It' is built upon 
a rock in which the inhabitants have hollowed recesses 
for their dwellings. The streets are so narrow and 
intricate that a stranger cannot possibly find his way 
among them. 
This oasis is of considerable extent. The most 
fertile portion comprises a well-watered valley, about 
fifty miles in circumference, which is productive of corn 
and edible vegetables. Dates of an excellent flavour 
are its most valuable export. 
Hornemann was anxious to explore some ruins which 
he had noticed, for he could obtain little information 
from the natives. But every time he penetrated to any 
distance in the ruins, he was followed by a number of 
the inhabitants, who prevented him from examining 
anything in detail. One of the Arabs said to him, 
“You must still be a Christian at heart, or you would 
not so often visit the works of the infidels.” 
This remark put a speedy end to Hornemann’s further 
explorations. As far as his superficial examination 
enabled him to judge, it was really the oasis of Ammon, 
and the ruins appeared to him to be of Egyptian origin. 
The immense number of catacombs in the neigh¬ 
bourhood of the town, especially on the hill overlooking 
it, indicate a dense population in ancient times. The 
traveller endeavoured vainly to obtain a perfect head 
from one of these burial-places. Amongst the skulls he 
procured, he found no certain proof that they had been 
filled with resin. He met with many fragments of 
clothing, but they were all in such a state of decay that 
it was impossible to decide upon their origin or use. 
After a stay of eight days in this place, Hornemann 
crossed the mountains which surrounded the oasis of 
Siwah, and directed his steps towards Schiatah. So far 
no misfortune had interrupted his progress. But at 
Shiatah he was denounced as a Christian and a spy. 
Hornemann cleverly saved his life by boldly reading out 
a passage in the Koran which he had in his possession. 
Unfortunately, his interpreter, expecting that his bag¬ 
gage would be searched, had burned the collection of 
