On the 7th we made a good day of about eleven hours, continuing during
the first three in shallow wadys, down one of which we had a distant
view of the plain of Serdalous, on the north-west. Then came the
breaking up of the great plateau of Fezzan, and we entered a pass which
leads down into the subjacent Sahara, and runs west with an inclination
to the south. This is, perhaps, one of the most extraordinary natural
features I have ever beheld. It seems to have been purposely cut out of
the solid rock for the use of man, and reminds one at first of a railway
excavation. As we advance it assumes the form of a cave, slightly open
at top,--narrow, winding, and furnished with seats on either hand. A dim
light comes from above. Only one part was difficult for the boat. Now
and then the pass became quite a tunnel, but the concave roof is high
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.
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