and large, with extensive forest around it, frequented
by numerous herds of elephants. Those in advance of
my line of march, on the road to Berbera, were all
mere nullahs, like Yubbe Tug, or Jid Ali Tug, and were
not used for agricultural purposes. However, in the
southern Dulbahanta country, south by west of this,
at a distance of five or six marches, there was a
nullah, with many springs in it, which united in
certain places, and became a running stream. This I
now, from subsequent inquiries and inspection of
Lieut. Gruttenden’s map,* suspect is the watercourse
set down in my instructions as the Wadi Nogal.
This watercourse, I was assured, bounded the Nogal
or white stony country on the west, and divided it
from the Haud or red stoneless country, which is occupied
in most part by the southern Dulbahantas, who
have “ the finest grazing-grounds in the world, and
possess incalculable numbers of camels and horses
(meaning ponies), and cows, sheep, and goats; whilst
the game which roamed about there covered the
ground like flocks of sheep.” Of these the largest
were giraffes, rhinoceroses, and lions, elephants being
confined to the Mijjertaine country, the Koolies hills
to the south of Berbera, and the Webbe Shebeli, or
Haines Biver.t
* Unfortunately, when sent on this mission, I was not furnished with
a chart, and had never seen any works written on the subject.
f For the advancement of future investigations, I would here notice
the reported existence of a large reptile like the armadillo—probably a
Manis—which the Somali think a very remarkable animal. It is said by
them to be common in Haud, is very slow in motion, has a hard scaly
23c?.—Early in the morning, accompanied by Hu-
sayn Ali, who opposed me no longer, we commenced
our descent to the valley of Jid Ali, an expansive flat
several miles in breadth, fuller and better wooded in
the north than any place I had yet seen, but tapering
away to the south and eastwards, until it became lost
to sight in the barren plateau. After marching a
mile or so, we found the Abban hastening to meet us,
in high dudgeon with my men for having advanced
contrary to his mandates, before he had time to arrive
and smooth the way; for now the great impressive
spell, his influence, which I was to understand could
alone save me from the terrors of the unruly Dulbahantas,
was proved to me of secondary importance,
and he, consequently, insignificant. This occasioned
a little delay; but at last, the Abban becoming reconciled
to this defeat of his projected plans, we were
permitted to resume the march, and, soon arriving in
the bed of the valley, encamped near the watercourse
of Jid Ali Tug, on the meridian of Mai. The water
in the nullah extended upwards of half a mile, when
it became absorbed in the thirsty soil. I t consisted
of a chain of pools, connected by little runnels, the
produce of some bitter springs, and made the country
green in consequence. Attracted by my dates and
rice for I had brought no other property save my
specimen-boxes and ammunition—many of the Dulexterior
coating, invulnerable to tbeir spears, and capable of supporting
the weight of a man without any apparent inconvenience to the creature
who bears it.