Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/178

 conceals the face from below the root of the nose. In the Nefzawa district M. Teisserene de Bort has found numerous polished stone implements.

West of Nefzawa, on the other side of the Sebkha-el-Faraun, rise the hills of the narrow isthmus which is known by the special name of Belad-el-Jerid, "Country of Palms," or merely as Jerid, i.e. "The Palm Grove." a designation often extended to the whole region of the southern oases. The Jerid is, in fact, pre-eminently the date country. Surrounded as it is by shotts and sands, and protected from the north wind by the mountains which rise to the north-east, the Jerid undoubtedly possesses that "fiery air"? which is so essential to the life of the palm. Thanks to its abundant springs, it can supply these trees with all the moisture they require; while the water, slightly warmer in temperature than the atmosphere,

forms veritable thermal rivers which stimulate the growth of the trees. The oases of the Jerid are, as M. Duveyrier expresses it, "natural hothouses," in which tropical plants such as flourish in the West Indies and the Sunda islands might be cultivated; but the natives are content with their exquisite dates — the best of which were formerly reserved for the bey's own table — their no less highly appreciated oranges, fruits of all kinds, vegetables and cereals. Their existence would be one of perfect ease and comfort were they not weighed down by the heavy taxes.

The Jerid has nearly a million palm-trees in a superficial area not exceeding 5,000 acres; 20,000 camels visit this oasis annually, and depart laden with fruit. The women also employ themselves in weaving and making burnous, haïks, and coverlets, which are greatly sought after throughout the whole of West Africa. But the inhabitants of Jerid no longer enjoy the profitable direct trade which they