om,
might be defended by a few men, against an invading army from
Marocco of several thousands, by taking a judicious position at the
southern extremity of this narrow path and tremendous precipice,
which is but a few yards in length. Proceeding northward through,
this defile, we continued our journey seven hours, (gradually
descending towards the plains of Fruga, a town of considerable
extent, distant about fifteen miles from the mountains.) Proceeding
two hours further, making together nine hours' journey, the army
pitched their tents, and we encamped on another table-land, on the
northern declivity of Atlas, at the entrance of an immense
plantation of olives, about a mile west of a village, called Ait
77 Musie, a most luxuriant and picturesque country. The village of Ait
Musie contains many Jews, whose external is truly miserable; but
this appearance of poverty is merely political, for they are a
trading and rich people, for such a patriarchal country. The olive
plantations at this place, and in many other parts of this country,
do honour to the agricultural propensity of the emperor Muley
Ismael, who planted them. They cover about six square miles of
ground; the trees are planted in right lines, at a proper distance;
the plantation is interspersed with openings, or squares, to let in
the air. These openings are about a square acre in extent.

[Footnote 100: migration from this tribe attacked and took the
city of Assouan, in Egypt, some years ago. Vide Burckhardt's
Travels in Nubia.]

[Footnote 101: This root abounds all over Suse, and is called
by the natives _Ark Suse, i.e._ the foot of Suse: the worm-seed
is called sheh.]

In travelling through the various provinces of South and West
Barbary, these extensive plantations of olives are frequently met
with, and particularly throughout Suse. It appeared that they were
all planted by the emperor Muley Ismael, whose indefatigable
industry was proverbial. Wherever that warrior (who was always in
the field) encamped, he never failed to employ his army in some
active and useful operation, to keep them from being devoured by
the worm of indolence, as he expressed it. Accordingly wherever he
encamped, we meet with these extensive plantations of olive trees,
planted by h