In this oasis the palm-groves are much more dense than in any other I
have seen. They almost merit the name of forests, both from their size
and wild luxuriant appearance. The Fezzanees pay little attention to
their culture, and when a tree falls it is frequently suffered to lie
for months, even though it block up the public road. In contrast to the
burning desert we had just traversed, these dense woods casting their
shadows on the white sand produced a most pleasing effect. We eagerly
wandered into the cool arcades, and watched with delight the doves and
hippoes, and other birds, as they fluttered to and fro amidst the
drooping leaves.
Laghareefah, like Edree, had been destroyed by the brilliant, though
ruthless usurper, Abd-el-Galeel, on account of its resistance to his
authority. The old town is at a little distance from the new, and was
evidently a much better-built place, commanded by an earthen kasr or
fortress.
On May 2d, we had a tempest of thunder and lightning to the south on the
hills, produced by the intense heat of the morning, and its accumulation
during the previous few days. Rain seemed to be falling at a distance of
a few hours. In the evening the mercury still stood about 100 deg.. The heat
now was still very distressing. The wind came charged with dust that
rolled in columns, like smoke beaten down by a tempest, across the
surface of the valley.
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