Journal of a Tour in Marocco and the Great Atlas - With an Appendix Including a Sketch of the Geology of Marocco (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 edition. Excerpt: ...by turning over some flat stones, we gave a last glance at the ridge of Anti-Atlas, and at a quarter-past three Ch. x. DESCENT OF DJEBEL TEZAH. 267 turned to the descent. It was clearly desirable to take a different line from the straight course followed in the ascent, and we speedily agreed on the plan of action most likely to add to the botanical results of the ascent, which hitherto had fallen somewhat short of our expectations. The round-backed ridge sloping westward from the summit throws out a massive spur, projecting nearly at right angles or somewhat E. of N., so as to enclose a recess in the mountain into which a large part of the drainage of the northern slope is collected; there was reason, therefore, to count on finding there a more varied vegetation than on the bare slopes enclosing it. On the projecting spur above it, we were struck by the appearance of trees, evidently not coniferous, scattered at intervals along the slopes, while the greener tint of the surface gave some promise to the botanist. It was, therefore, desirable that this ridge should not escape examination. A rapid descent soon brought us to a point overlooking the hollow recess of the mountain where we were rejoined by our Shelluh guide, who had now assumed a crest-fallen air, and we at once determined to separate, Hooker with the guide descending into the hollow, Ball making a circuit by the ridge to the left. The time at our disposal being so short, it was impossible to examine the ground carefully, and many species were doubtless overlooked, but we were both rewarded by finding several plants not seen elsewhere during our journey. Among others Hooker secured a dwarf, very spiny barberry, with blueish-black berries, seemingly not different from the Spanish...