Gr.EAT CAVERN OF THE KASSELA-EL-LUS. 2oo On the .soutli-ca.st sido of the inilin ridge of the Kassela-el-Lus is to be seen, low down between blocks of rocks, the entrance to an extremely large cavern (Mogara, here Charr), which, according to the tales of the older men, is exceedingly high and roomy, runs under the whole hill, and contains water, which afterwards comes out at the north-west side of the hill in a rock-spring. Accompanied by our friend the Faki Misaur, who had, as before told, entertained us so splendidly witli merissa, and, betrayed by it, revealed to us the priests' gunpowder plot, we made a hunting excursion to that side, tlius, unobserved by the inhabitants, to reach the cave ; we having always received evasive or negative answers, when we requested to be shown the entrance to this place of retreat in pressing dangers. The entrance is round, and only by bending low under a mass of rock can one get in ; insid( all was dark. We had no torches. Our timid guide called our attention to the fresh bones and traces of blood, which, though they might not foretell a Polyphemus, stiU hinted at unpleasant four-footed inmates. We did not pusli far in, but resolved to purchase Avax, make large torches, and with a larger party repeat the visit, as it was said that higli pillars, probably stalactites, were to be found in the interior ; but of such we saw as little sign at the entrance, as of inhabitants. It is probable that there are here about many such caves, and all connected with each other. In the hill of Abd CJiammcl, Avhicli rises like a sugar loaf at the distance of some miles to the south-south-east of Kassela, and which is to be seen from the Gisser, there are many such caves, which, holding watei", are used by men as dwellings.

If one considers this, together with the caves of the neighbouring hills, being used as dwellings, while such in otlier places, e. g.

in Basa, serve only for places of refuge in times of danger, one might justly hold this land to be that of the Troglodites— the race of Troglodytica of olden geographers. It is worthy of remark, that all these " people of nature " bear no bows or arrows, nor even "poisoned" lances, as those on the hills behind Sennaar, Kordofan, and the White Nile. The distant weapons are held unworthy of a man, but are not on tliat account the less feared.

The present inhabitants, thougli otherwise good Mussulmen, as T