I think it right to account for what otherwise might be attributed to neglect, my having, in the latter part of our journey, omitted to notice the variations of the Thermometer from the 28th of February to the present time. Not using my tent, I found much difficulty, in so large a Kafflé, in preventing stray camels or the slaves from treading on the Thermometer; and it was so frequently in danger of being broken, that I found no correct rate could be kept, and therefore gave up the attempt.
of the desert.
Having, from the time of leaving Tripoli until my return from Fezzan, been constantly on the Desert, I shall endeavour to give a description of the country so called. In all our maps, Sahāra is the appellation used to distinguish that immense tract, known also by the name of the Great Desert.
Oasis is the term used for fertile spots or islands, said to be situated on the Sahāra; and Fezzan is supposed to be one of these Oasis: whereas, it is now evident, that it also is a Desert, with the exception of palms and small gardens, cultivated with great labour and difficulty, in the immediate vicinity of towns. No herbage ever grows spontaneously, except in wadeys or amongst rocks; and these in such small patches, that I never yet saw a spot covered with verdure of the size of a table, unless in the mountains near Tripoli. The Arabs have a name for every description of waste or desert, viz. the following:
| 1 | Sahār سحعره. | 6 | Wishek ويشك. |
| 2 | Ghrood غرود. | 7 | Ghraba or Jezeera غابه. |
| 3 | Sereer سرير. | 8 | Soobker صوبكر. |
| 4 | Warry وعر. | 9 | Wadey وادي. |
| 5 | Hatïa حتيه. | 10 | Gibel جبل. |
Sahār is the name commonly used to particularise that description of Desert which is of sand alone, forming a plane surface, without either stones, rocks, water, or any sustenance capable of supporting animal or vegetable life, with a smooth horizon and without beaten paths.
Ghrood are those species of sand hills which I mentioned having once or twice passed in Fezzan: they are of an indefinite height, some being so steep as to be entirely impassable: others, and indeed all of this particular name, are traversed with difficulty. In some instances, palms grow on these hills; which are generally situated on the borders of stony plains, where the wind has collected and formed them.
Sereer is the appellation of gravelly plains, from which the sand has been swept by the force of the winds; and it is on this kind of Desert alone that sand hills are found. The gravel is generally of a small size: in some instances, rounded as pebbles on a sea beach; in others, sharp and pointed, as if recently broken; and a third kind is not unfrequently seen, covering spaces of many miles in extent, of stones which have a shining exterior, as if highly polished.
Warr is a rough plain, covered with large detached stones lying in confusion, and very difficult to pass over. The tops of mountains, particularly the Soudah, are distinguished by this name: it is, in fact, applied to such tracts of country as are only travelled with the greatest fatigue and difficulty, on account of the many obstacles thrown in the way by stones, small hillocks, &c.
Hatïa implies a spot which possesses, in a slight degree, the power of fertility, and produces a few small stinted shrubs, scattered at intervals, on which camels may make a scanty meal, or travellers a fire.