which occasionally rise or project from the level. Among the stones
are found fragments of large petrified marine animals, but mostly
shells closed up and insolidated. These shells struck or thrown
forcibly on others, give a shrill sound, and the fracture presents a
vitreous appearance.
The low, bare, calcareous hills which border the plain, are, by
the Arabs, comprised in the Harutsch-el-abiat; but they are of a
nature very different. Of all that 1 have seen, this range of hills
contains the most petrifactions. These, mountains rise immediately
steep from the level, and the matter of which they,are formed is
alone friable limestone, in which the petrifactions are so loosely imbedded,
that they may be taken out with ease; they consist of petrified
conchs, snail-shells, fish, and other marine substances. I found
heads of fish that would be a full burthen for one man to carry. In
the adjacent vallies are shells in great number, and of the same kind
as those found on the great plain, and which, as I before mentioned,
have the appearance of being glazed.
SECTION! III.
Arrival at Temissa, and further Journey,
W e ' were yet an hour’s march distant from Temissa, when the
inhabitants, of that place greeted the caravan with welcome and
congratulation on arrival. They put questions without number, concerning
pur health, intermingling wishes for peace in the Arabian
stile and maimer. The incessant repetition of the same words appeared
to me extraordinary, but I was soon given to understand, that
it denoted polite manners, according to usage of the country. The
more noble, and educated the man, the oftener did he repeat his
questions. A well dressed young man attracted my particular attention,
as an adept in the perseverance and redundancy of salutation.
Accosting an Arah of Augila, he gave him his hand, and detained him
a considerable time with His civilities, when the Arab being obliged
to advance with greater speed to come up again with his companions,
the youth of Fezzan thought he should appear deficient in good manners
if he quitted him so soon: for near half a mile he kept running
by his horse, whilst all his conversation was, How dost thou fare?
Well, how art thou thyself? Praised be God thou art arrived in
peace! God grant thee peace! How dost thou do, &c. &c.
On our approach toTTemissa, .the pilgrims arranged themselves
with their kettle drum and green flag! The merchants formed a
troop, at head of the caravan, and pranced and curvetted their
horses as they led on, and in this manner we passed on to our
place of encampment near the town, whilst the women assembled
withcoit the wa'llf,‘ yvelcomed us in' their Arabian custom with