T RAV

30 TRAVELS IN AFRICA.ancient population ofthis country.The stratum of alluvial cCillformation,of agglutinated pebble, is thin, and it is probable a dilapidatronfrequently takes place below From what it js in our power~o observe wtMontserrat, where this process lS marked in the strata,.soas...to formthese vacuities naturaHy; or to Ieave but Iittle to be done hyexcava...tian. At any rate, it is probable that sncb c.onveniency originaHy presentingitselffirst suggested the idea. The substance beingmuch softerwhere wroJ\lgbt intQ heIow than at its superficies, the latter once pierced,that heneath was easily extracted, and a hardroofle:f!~ impe;rvious:to,and unabsorbent of, humidity•. When filled with grain they are coveredovercarefuHy; and aperson unacquainted with the process would won,.der how the year)s harvest, which covered the country so plentifuIIy,could have been so suddenly disposed.of.They are so numerous inmaqy places that, being nowdisused, and theg;round about them overgrownwith bushes, they render riding off the trodden road a matterofsome risk.They afford conveniency te tbe Arahs te avoid tax,.ation: though. their masters have instinctive faculties>in this science,DOt easily to he deceived. 8ometjmes.they and theil"centents are sawellconcealed, as notto berecovered again un]ess hy chance.1: 1 beeorn remains to allY period unimpaired.The wheat here is of a verydry quality, near1y appmaching to wnatour millers ,termsteely.'IheArab~s keen eye sQJ:uetimes discovers a matamore wnere. it is Dot su~spected. He goes out before sun~rise, whena slight mistlurks uponthe ground; and when this rises, wherever its skirts dwells lQng~stonthe surface, Ile seeks, for a matamore, and is qftencoRlpensatedforbistrouble.Itinerary.-Monoccô to TANGrER.$i~thDa!/s .Route.~The road liesacrOiS what is called the Great Plain, which extEmds in every directiontlDeedays journey. Bere is's()me cornsown :hutitlleface.Q..f ..:th.e....country