rock, of four days extant ; the other, of soft and sandy stone, of three
days extent : but they are described in a very obscure manner, and
'their respective positions are transposed.
Mr. Horneman appears to have employed nearly fifty hours in
crossing the black Harutsch ; fourteen more in the white Harutsch ;
or altogether sixty-four hours, equal to eight ordinary caravan days;
which does not differ very widely from the report of Ben Ali, who
allowed seven.
The white Harutsch forms the extreme boundary of Fezzan, and
extends southward, into thè district of the Tibbo Rshade ; of which
more in the sequel. The black Harutsch appears to "be much more
extensive. Horneman was told, that it was in breadth five joumies
from east to west; (he crossed it in WSW direction;) and in
length seven, from north to south. However, Mr. Horneman
justly observes, that it must be more extensive, since he crossed a
tract of the same nature, in his way from Fezzan to Tripoly; and
even from that point it was said to extend a considerable distance
to the west. He adds, that he learnt at Mourzouk, that there were
black mountains , also in the road from that place to Bornou : that
is, to the south-east.
Mr. Beaufoy was also informed, (See chap. iv. Afr. Proceed-.
1790,) that a desert named Souda, (that is, black,) is crossed in the
way from Mesurata to Fezzan ; agreeing with Mr. Horneman’s
report. The breadth, in a north and south direction, is given at four
days, or somewhat narrower than in Mr. Horneman s line of Voute
from Augila.
Mr. Horneman describes the black Harutsch to consist of matter,
that, in his idea, was volcanic, or had undergone the action of fire:
and its conformation appears very singular indeed. There exists in
Pliny, an evident proof that it was known to the Romans ; for they
had crossed it, in their expeditions to Fezzan, and towards the
Niger, &c,; and had even explored and remarked the shortest route
across the same mountains.
Pliny says, that “ from Cydamus (i. e. Gadamis, which, by the
bye, he says lies opposite to Sabrata, on the sea coast) there extends
a mountain a long way to the east, called by the Romans, M ons
A ter ; and which appears as if it were burnt or scorched by the
rays of the sun.” (Lib. v. c. 5.) And he adds, that beyond those
mountains, are deserts, and the towns of the Garamantes, which
Were conquered by the Romans under Balbus. In this description,
we clearly recognise the So u d a , or Bl a c k D e ser t, to the north o f
Fezzan; and which Mr. Horneman saw, both there, and to the
east, of the same country; and also learnt, that it continued far westward,
beyond the line of the road from Fezzan to Mesurata: in
other words, towards Gadamis.
Sockna, which is a town of some consideration, lies midway between
this road and Gadamis: and it is known that the Desert of
Souda passes to the south of it. So that there is little doubt but
that Pliny is right, in extending the Mons Ater westward to Cydamus,
(i. e. Gadamis) and to a long extent eastward of it.
VII. Fezzan.
It has been said, that there is no material difference between the
position of the capital of this country (Mourzouk), as given by Mr.
Horneman, and the former assumed position in the maps, drawn