Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/257

 Mountains," the old province of which they form a part having been so called before the French occupation.

One of the best-defined ranges in Algeria is that of Jurjura, the Mons Terratus of the Romans, which runs east and north-east of the Titteri hills. Although its highest point is only 7,680 feet, or somewhat less than the Sheliya of Aures, it rises to a greater relative height above the plains than any other range in the country. Seen from the north it presents an imposing appearance, being hero skirted throughout its whole length by a deep wooded and cultivated valley, which forms a pleasant foreground to its rugged and snowy peaks. In this direction the snows are more abundant than on the opposite slope, and in the depressions traces

are even seen of avalanches. At some former geological epoch glaciers filled the gorges of the Haizer and Lalla-Khedrija slopes, and a large terminal moraine is still visible in the upper valley of the Wed Aissi. Elsewhere also are seen indications of the lakes which once flooded the depressions, but which have since run dry. Of all the Algerian uplands the Jurjura highlands abound most in running waters, rich vegetation, cool and healthy valleys sheltered at once from parching southern and cold northern winds.

The mountains of Upper Kabylia are disposed in such a way as to form a regular semicircle round the border of this region. Coast ranges, such as the