264 LABORE TO FATIKO.

high; they sloped down gently, and were scantily clothed with vegetation.

On the left bank of the river, which here flows due north, thick smoke appeared, and as we approached I fancied that I perceived a very slight smell of sulphur. From large clefts between the boulders, and still oftener from springs close by the river, there bubbles out perfectly clear hot water, without taste or smell, at a temperature of from 137.3 to 138.3° Fahr. (at different places), forming a small brook forty-six inches broad and three inches deep. In this little channel two other springs gush forth, whirling up thick mud. By measuring with a stick, I found arocky bottom at a depth of twelve inches, The temperature of the air was 72.5° Fahr.; that of the river water, 77° Fahr. ; the aneroid read 27.69 in. A boiling-point observation, made somewhat later, resulted in 208.8° Fahr., the temperature of the air being 73.4” Fahr., and the aneroid indicating 27.69 in. No deposit of efflorescence was noticed near the springs, and no plants or animals were to be seen around, except the boiled body of an inquisitive frog. In the middle of the river, somewhat higher up, there are other warm springs, having a lower temperature, viz., 104° Fahr. The whole of the western sandbank appears to be undermined by hot springs, for a very short distance below the surface the ground becomes hot and moist. After a course of about ten feet, the little streamlet flows into the river, and makes its water warm to the touch for some distance. The whole ground must be quite under water when the river is at full flood. The water from these hot springs is credited with great healing power, especially for syphilis and skin diseases. The practice of scattering corn and flour round the springs indicates a traditional reverence for them. These springs, together with those on Jebel Labilla and that to the south of Fatiko, appear to originate in one and the same large basin. I took some of the water for analysis. I found many wing-shells in the river. Farshile lies to the south-west of this place, and may be reached in about three hours and a half.

Undulating grass land, strewn over with boulders, rose gently before us; but few trees were visible, and most of those were distorted by fire. A very lofty tree stood out upon the ridge of the hills, forming a good landmark. Jebel