344 BENGAZI.

In the immediate neighbourhood of the palm-trees above mentioned (we mean those to the N.E. of Bengazi) are the sand-hills, which form (together with the date-trees) the most remarkable objects on this part of the coast. The occasional mixture of a little manure with the sand, and the decay of vegetable matter, have contributed to produce at the foot of these hills a very excellent soil ; portions of which are inclosed witliin hedges of the prickly-pear and aloe, and near them may be seen a few miserable huts, the abodes of the several proprietors. The chief produce of these little gardens may be stated to be — melons and pumpkins of several kinds, melonzani, or egg-plants, cucumbers, tomatas, red and green peppers, and some few of the plants called bamia.

The sand itself, with a little labour, is also made to produce very abundantly ; so much so, that any one who had seen the place only in the summer time, would scarcely recognise it as the same in the winter season, when covered with luxuriant vegetation. The right of cultivation appears to be general ; and a piece of ground may be said to belong to the first person who takes the trouble of inclosing and working it. This, in fact, is no more than just; since the culticertain it will produce me nothing;” and then approaching the tree, he proceeds to give it two or three strokes with his hatchet. — “ Pi'ay now! I entreat you, desist” (says the mediator, holding back the arm of the proprietor) — “ Do but observe what a fine tree it IS, and have patience for this one season more ; should it fail after that to bear you any fruit, you may do with it just Avhat you please.” The owner of the tree then allows himself to be persuaded, and retires without proceeding to any further extremities. But the threat, and the few strokes inflicted with the hatchet, have always, it is said, the desired effect ; and the terrified palm-tree produces the same year a most abundant supply of fine dates I ! 1 (Extract from Kazwini, Chr6stomathie Ai’abe, tom. iii. p. 319.)