Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/331

 eastwards, the only European stations are Tikzirt, near the little port of Taksebt, and Azefun (Zeffun), called also Port Guedon.

Near the waterparting between the sources of the Teser and the eastern slope of the Shelif stands the rising town of Berwagha, an important agricultural centre, where the French have established a model farm, a school of agriculture, and a rural convict station containing over a thousand criminals. Below the abrupt bend of the Isser round the hills of Great Kabylia lies Palestro, a flourishing place founded since the opening of the road which penetrates through the gorges of the river, and which is now accompanied by a railway. Since the massacre of some

fifty Europeans during a revolt of the natives in 1871, Palestro has been strengthened by a strong citadel commanding the surrounding district.

The plain opening north of the gorges is one of the most densely peopled in Algeria. Beni-Amran, on the slopes of the hills, is followed lower down by Blad-Guitun on the left, and Isserville near the right bank of the Isser, in the centre of the plain. Near this place is held the great market of the Isser tribe, formerly a rendezvous for all the inhabitants of Kabylia. But the French conquest has modified the economic conditions of the country, while the importance of this market has been further diminished by the foundation of Berj-Menaiel in the