84 AFRICAN WANDERINGS.

of all. Most of the burden of labour seems here to fall on the women, and it is plain they hold no high place, as they are not allowed to anoint their hair. It was soon evident that large bodies of Arabs were assembled somewhere near, and that the population of Taka was greater than given out,—a suspicion much strengthened by such extensive durra fields, and by the many wells sunk; as also by the extent of ruined huts and enclosures within our camp, where, ere we came, the Arabs had had their abodes. All we met were most civil, " Mirhababa" being shouted to us by almost all. After the first half hour's ride we came to a wood, but were much surprised to see only young trees, and not, as we had hoped, old and venerable timber. But we soon discovered the cause, in fires still glimmering in difierent parts around, so placed, that it was evidently the inhabitants' intention to burn down the trees to manure the ground, and also thus to gain clear ground for fresh fields of grain, and better pasturage for their herds. To a great distance round their camping places, which, like all Nomadic tribes, they frequently change, these new copses are found in large quantities.

Incredibly rapidly does all herbage spring up here, called forth by the great warmth, and the regular tropical rains, from the rich fruitful earth, and especially where subterraneous water affords moisture, even to the surface soil. This was here evidenced, by the patches of green grasses, the trees, and especially the durra, which now, under the glowing heat, not only sent out from the under joints of the stem beautifully fresh and vigorous shoots, but, from the tops, where the heads had been cut off", a verdant crown of graceful sprouts. Most of the copse, besides some nebbek-trees, mimosas, &c., consisted of a species of tree that sends out from the root many stems and branches, with leaves small as needlewood, and much resembling the cypress. The wood is very weak, excessively light, gives little charcoal, and is very pithy and brittle.

If these trees are deprived of their leaves by fire, or have got no water for a year, they wither and die away; they give little shade, and our people called them Aetle. Some quarter of an hour ere we reached Mohammed Din's abode, the trees seemed far larger and of considerable age ; the woods also were thicker, as the fires had not, seemingly, raged so furiously here. But the older trees