6a TRAVFXS IN THE
CHAPTER IIE
Some Account of Fezzan.
T h e greatest length of the cultivated part of the kingdom of
Fezzan, is about 300 English miles from north to south, and the
greatest width 200 miles from east to west; but the mountainous
region of Harutscb to the east, and other deserts to the south and
west, are reckoned within its territory.
The borderers on the north are Arabs, nominally dependant on
Tripoly, but their obedience is merely nominal, and they take each
opportunity of public weakness or commotion to throw off the yoke.
Fezzan to the east is hounded by the Harutscb, and line of deserts.
To the south and south-east is the country of the Tibboes. To the
south-west that of the Nomadic Tuaricks. On the west are Arabs.
The kingdom contains a hundred and one towns and villages, of
which Mourzouk is the capital. The principal towns next in order
to the imperial residence are Sockna, Sibha, Hun, and Wadon to the
north; Gatron to the south; Terma to the west; and Zuila to the
east.
The climate of Fezzan is at no season temperate or agreeable.
During the summer the heat is intense; and when the wind blows
from the south is scarcely supportable, even by the natives. The
winter might be moderate were it not for the prevalence of a bleak
and penetrating north wind during that season of the year, and
which chilled and drove to the fire not only the people of the place,
but even myself, the native of a-northern country.
It rains at- Fezzan seldom, and then but little in quantity. From
November 1798 to June 1799, there was not a single thunder storm;
the 31st of January, 1799, there were some faint lightnings without
thunder. Tempests of wind are however frequent, both from the
north and the south, whirling up the sand and! dust, so as to tinge
the very atmosphere.'yellow. There is no river, nor indeed a rivulet
deserving note throughout the whole country. The soil is a deep
sand covering calcareous rock, or earth, and sometimes a stratum o f
argillaceous substance.. ■
Dates may be termed the natural and staple produce of Fezzan'.
In the western parts of. the kingdom some senna is grown, and of
a quality superior to that imported from the country of the Tibboes.
Pot-herbs, and generally vegetables of the garden, are plentiful.
Wheat and barley are. suited to the soil and climate, but from inexpertness
or. difficulties attending the mode of tillage,. and generally
from indolence of the people and oppressions o f the government,
corn, is-not raised sufficient for the inhabitants, and they rely
for subsistence on importations from the Arab countries bordering
Fezzan to the north;
Very little attention-is bestowed on the rearing of beasts; Horned
cattle are to be found only in the most fertile districts; < and are even
there but few in number; they are employed in drawing water from
the wells, and are slaughtered only in cases of extreme necessity.
The ordinary domestic animal is the goat. Sheep are bred in the