Amongst the trees to-day appeared most conspicuously the doom-palm. This
is the first day we have seen it in such numbers. This "palm of
Pharaoh," as the Moors call it, according to their habit of coupling all
strange things with those ancient monarchs, is found in groups as well
as isolated trees. When isolate, and also when in groups, it very
frequently assumes a double-shaped trunk, or two large arms spread out
or divided from a low stump.[11] Of the leaves, which are called
_gabba_, the people make all their rope.

[11] I believe the trunk of the doom is always thus divided and
subdivided.--ED.

These trees are now laden with fruit, not ripe. The abundance of them
gives to the place of our encampment a truly tropical aspect. We
journeyed on to-day eight hours and a-half--a good, fair day. The
weather was warm, even a little sultry. As to inhabitants, we passed
many isolated huts, but saw no villages in groups. We also passed the
ruins of many villages, whose houses were better built than any I have
yet seen in this part of Aheer. This country has seen its best days; for
the huts which now take the place of these houses, high and well-built
of stone and mud, are, indeed, miserable. Probably these deserted places
are some of the towns whose people were carried off to Bornou in the
recent razzias. At the bottom of most of the wadys to-day, water was
found at a foot depth, though not a copious supply. People were at the
wells in numbers, watering their cattle.

En-Noor paid me another attention to-day, when on camel-back, in
presenting to me a piece of gour-nut. This is considered a very great
compliment. As to the fruit itself, I have not yet acquired the taste;
it is only agreeable if you are thirsty, and after chewing it drink
water.

_22d._--We remain here to-day. It is not so cold as it has been.

I am sorry Madame En-Noor has left off the milk, though I never cease to
send coffee twice a-day. I must now, however, send but once, as my sugar
is getting low.

I observed the beautiful bird's nest which I mentioned the other day. It
is a perfect piece of architecture, far superior to the huts made in
this country. The only apparent deficiency is, that it seems to hang on
nothing, or is suspended sometimes on a slender straw, at other times on
a thin twig. The nest is built of straw inside and outside, but the
inside is of a finer straw. I have not seen the bird who is the
architect of this wonderful piece