The distance between Tlemsen and Oushda is sixteen leagues, or about sixteen hours’ march for troops; Oushda is also four or five days from Oran, and six days from Fez.  The Desert commences beyond the Mulweeah, at more than forty leagues from Tlemsen.  Like the Algerian Angad, which extends to the south of Tlemsen, it is of frightful sterility, particularly in summer.  In this season, one may march for six or eight hours without finding any water.  It is impossible to carry on military operations in such a country during summer.  On this account, Marshal Bugeaud soon excavated Oushda and returned to the Tlemsen territory.

Aghla is a town, or rather large village, of the district of Fez, where the late Muley Suleiman occasionally resided.  It is situated along the river Wad Vergha, in a spacious and well-cultivated district.  A great market of cattle, wool, and bees’-wax, is held in the neighbourhood.  The country abounds in lions; but, it is pretended, of such a cowardly race, that a child can frighten them away.  Hence the proverb addressed to a pusillanimous individual, “You are as brave as the lions of Aghla, whose tails the calves eat.”  The Arabs certainly do occasionally run after lions with sticks, or throw stones at them, as we are accustomed to throw stones at dogs.

Nakhila, i.e., “little palm,” is a little town of the province of Temsna, placed in the river Gueer; very ancient, and formerly rich and thickly populated.  A great mart, or souk, is annually held at this place.  It is the site of the ancient Occath.

Meshru Khaluf, i.e., “ford, or watering-place of the wild-boar,” in the district of the Beni-Miskeen, is a populated village, and situated on the right bank of the Ovad Omm-Erbergh, lying on the route of many of the chief cities.  Here is the ford of Meshra Khaluf, forty-five feet wide, from which the village derives its name.

On the map will be seen many places called Souk.  The interior tribes resort thither to purchase and exchange commodities.  The market-places form groups of villages.  It is not a part of my plan to give any particular description of them.

Second, those places distinguished in the kingdom of Morocco, including Sous, Draha, and Tafilett.

Tefza, a Berber name, which, according to some, signifies “sand,” and to others, “a bundle of straw,” is the capital of the province of Todla, built by the aborigines on the slope of the Atlas, who surrounded it with a high wall of sandstone (called, also, Tefza.) At two miles east of this is the smaller town of Efza, which is a species of suburb, divided from Tefza by the river Derna.  The latter place is inhabited certainly by Berbers, whose women are famous for their woollen works and weaving.  Tefza is also celebrated for its native black and white woollen manufactures.  The population of the two places is stated at upwards of 10,000, including 2,000 Jews.

Pitideb, or Sitideb, is another fine town in the neighbourhood, built by the Amazirghs on the top of a high mountain.  The inhabitants are esteemed the most civilized of their nation, and governed by their own elders and chiefs, they live in a state of almost republican independence.  Some good native manufactures are produced, and a large commerce with strangers is carried on.  The women are reputed as being extremely fair and fascinating.