On the 14th we rose before daybreak, and were soon in motion.  No change was noticed in the country, limestone rocks and broad valleys running in all directions.  The ground is sometimes scattered with fossil shells, some of the exogyra, others of the oyster species; all flints.  There were apparent traces of the hyaena, but of no other wild animals.  Some sheep were at graze; and the long stubble of last year’s crop of barley, in irregular patches, told us that when there is copious rain the Arabs come to these parts for agricultural purposes.  We noticed the English hedge-thorn here and there, and thought of the green lanes of our native land.

Nine hours’ journey brought us to the valley of Amjam, where there was a khafilah of senna encamped among the trees.  Water—­rather bitter, however—­may be found here in shallow excavations; and the whole place, with its patches of herbage, is highly refreshing to the eye.

There are two new trees in this wady, both interesting; the Ghurdok and the Ajdaree.  The ghurdok, on which the camels browse, is a large bush with great thorns, and bears a red berry about the size of our hip, or, as the marabout says, of sheep’s dung.  People eat these berries and find them good, with a saltish, bitter taste, and yet a dash of sweetness.  The ajdaree is also a thorny bush, and at a distance something reminds one of the English hedge-thorn.  On a nearer approach the leaves are found to be oval and filbert-shaped.  The berry, called thomakh, is nearly as large as haws, but flatted at the sides:  it is used medicinally, being a powerful astringent in diarrhoea.

When the moon was two days old our people practised a little of the ancient Sabaeanism of the Arabs—­saluting it by kissing their hands, and offering a short prayer.

On the 15th we at length sighted the edge of the plateau of the Hamadah; and pushing on still through desert hills and valleys, arrived at Wady Tabooneeah, having been en route four days from Mizdah.  This valley is not so fertile as Amjam; and the water is more bitter.  Common salt, the companion of gypsum, was observed to-day; and wherever this is found there are bitter salts.  Swallows were skimming over the shrubs, and birds of prey hovered about, now lying-to, as it were, overhead, with beak and talons visible, now circling upwards until they became mere specks.  Lizards and beetles abounded as usual; but the only plagues of the place were the flies, which had followed the camels from Gharian, and even from Tripoli.  Men usually carry their “black cares” along with them in this way.