enough for any camel to pass. On the sides, here and there, were Tuarick
inscriptions; but there was nothing remarkable revealed by this
admirable geological section. It was mostly sandstone for the upper
strata, with narrow streaks of marl and chalk. Some slate was observed,
and frequently our way lay over beds of red clay. An agreeable surprise
awaited us occasionally, in the shape of little openings containing
groups of the tholukh; but the general aspect of the pass was horrible
and desolate, and we eagerly pushed on towards the end. There was
nothing, apparently, to support life; but we found and caught a young
fox: how the little wretch procured food was a mystery which our guides
could not explain. However, life no doubt had its joys for him, and we
let him loose in the plain below. I also picked up a dead bird, of a
species common in the desert, with white head or cap, and white tail,
except the upper feathers; all the rest, legs and bill, black. It is
about the size of a lark, but has a head like a blackbird. We supposed
the one found had died from want of water, though it may have been
killed by the mother of the young fox.

On emerging from the pass at length we found a considerable change of
level, and having advanced a little way turned back and obtained a
splendid view of the walls of the plateau, which stretched on both sides
above the plain, and thrust out lofty bluff promontories, as into the
sea. The upper lines of some of them were perfectly straight, as if
levelled by artificial means. We came to a solitary rock on the plain,
containing excavations that seemed to be the work of men. Here, we were
told, Dr. Oudney once stopped and breakfasted.

We have now a pretty correct idea of the great central table-land of
Fezzan. It is an elevation, not quite clearly marked to the eye on some
of its northern approaches, but dropping sheer to the plain at other