4t Merowe — Ahu Hamcd.

Old Meuowe to Abu Hamed, by the Eight Uaxk of the Nile.

{Majm- Hon. M. G. Talhot, R.K, October, 1897.)

General Notes.

(i.) The grazing for camels is moderate.

(iL) The places where water can be obtained depend on the time of the year. The bod of the river is the only source of supply.

(iiL) No consiilerable elevation is crossed anywiiere. Probably the road is never more than 100 to 150 feet above liigh Nile level.

(iv.) Telegraph line follows road where not otherwise mentioned, (v.) No supplies obtainable on right bank.

Names of Places.

Distance in miles.

Intermediate.

Total from Merowa Description.

Old Merowe J. Barkal Kasiujar...

Amrao 19 Abn Haraz HobIi El Oenif , Salmia 9J 12 17 36J \%\ 14 «2J Village.

Two miles inland. Ancient ruined pyramids at base. Desert road from Dongola joins river here. Telegraph line crosses from left to right bank here. Small fort. On leaving Kasinjar fort the road curves round with the river, but gradually recedes from it. After 2 miles of good firm sand, with thin thorny scrub, the road turns away from the river to the north-east, passing to the right of Jebel Wad El Duga, beyond which it turns N.N.E., over undulating, stony ground, draining to right. The going is good to 1 1 miles. At about 13 miles roatl passes into a shallow basin draining east, from which it emerges at 14J miles, and begins to descend to river by a bad path down and across small khors. Keaches river at Meshra El Abiad, a good watering place, at IDJ miles. From 11 to 14i miles the road, though generally good, is less so than before, and passes over bits of stony ground, which would be very troublesome at night or even for a considerable body marching by day. From Meshra El Abiad road runs along river bank ; good going for camels, and some grass and thorn grazing. A few huts at Amrao, where there is plenty of room to camp and some shade.

There is also a road by the river, which was used by General Hunter's column. It is said to be bad and to take baggage camels .5 hours. Desert road leaves river at once and follows telegraph wire for 3J miles, when latter strikes off to right to river, and continues along it to Abu Haraz. To 3| miles road is good, in flat khor, few bushes on left, and gigantic boulders on right. Keeps on straight to 8 miles, crossing plain strewn with scattered ridges of granite boulders, and then turns slightly to i-ight down to river at Abu Haraz, 9 miles, where there are a few ruined mud houses, and a clump of p<alms at 9| miles, with camp and shade for a battalion. No water along road. For i\ miles road winds in and out of low slaty and granitic ridges, with strip of good sand between, keeping generally near the river. It then leaves the river near Khor Abu Herejil and strikes across low slatey ridges to about 7 miles, when it again strikes an arm of the river, dry at this season, along which it keeps for 1 mile, and then across broad, low open plateau to Hosh El Geruf. Like all the names in this part, Hosli El Genif is applied to a strip along the river, rather than to any one spot or village. Tlie 8p<jt referred to here is a clump of palms, at the foot of a low hill, near a little cultivation. Road generally bad, quite unsuitable for wheels. It follows river at starting for I mile, and then, leaving it, winds up and down khors iind over low rocky ridges almost the whole way. From about 8| to 10 miles is the woist bit. Here horses should be led in single file, after that road enters sandy plain and is good to 13 miles, when it commences to cross low ridges again. At 13| miles the river is seen for the first time and the road descends to Salmia, which consists of two or three groves of palms, with a field or two of dura and three or four houses of Monasir. Eoom to camp three or four battalions, with a little shade.