GREAT CAVERN OP THE KASSELA-EL-LUS. 255 On the south-east side of the main ridge of tlie 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 liad, as before told, entertained us so splendidly Avith merissa, and, betrayed by it, revealed to us the priests' gunpowder plot, we made a hunting excursion to that side, thus, unobserved by the inhabitants, to reach the cave ; we having always received evasive or negative answers, Avhen we requested to be shown tlie 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 ; inside all was dark. We had no torches. Our timid guide called our attention to the fresh l)ones and traces of blood, which, though they might not foretell a Polyphemus, still hinted at unpleasant four-footed inmates. We did not pusli for in, but resolved to purchase wax, make large torches, and witli a larger party re-[jcat the visit, as it was said that high pillar, probably stalactites, were to be found in the interior ; but of sucli we saw as little sign at the entrance, as of inhabitants. It is probable that there are here about many suc!i caves, and all connected with each other. In the hill of Abd Chanuncl, which rises like a sugar )oaf at the distance of some mih-s to the south-south-east of Kassela, and wliich is to be seen from the Gissei", there are many >*uch caves, wiiicJi, hoKling water, ai'c uscmI l)y men as dwellings.

If one considers tliis, togctlier witli the caves of the neighbouring hills, being used as dwrlliiigs, wliih* such in otlicr places, e. g. in Basa, serve only for places of refuge in times of <hinger, one might justly liold this land to be that of the Troglodites— the race of Ti-oglodytica of olden geograi)hers. It is wortliy of remark, tliat all these " people of nature " bear no bows or arrows, nor even "poisoiied" lances, as those on the liills behind Sennaar, Kordofan, and the Wiiite Nile. The distant weapons are held unworthy of a man, but are not on tlmt account the less feared.

The present inhabitants, though otlierwise good Mussulmen. as T