Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/394

 Of these openings the most important is Ain-Sefra, or the "Yellow Spring," which, although 3,570 feet high, already lies on the Saharian slope. Its oasis is watered by a perennial stream, flowing in the direction of the Wed Namus, or "Mosquito River." East of Ain-Sefra, which is the health resort for the troops of South Orania, the somewhat less elevated settlement of Tiut is surrounded by palm groves and orchards. On a neighbouring rock are seen some rude representations of men armed with bows and arrows, women, and animals, including an elephant,

engraved perhaps at a time when these pachyderms may have still survived in the district. Similar rock-carvings also occur near the Mogher Tahteni oases, on the upper course of the Wed Namus.

All the settlements in this region form so many petty republics, administered by the local assemblies, but recognising the political suzerainty of the Hamian Gharba Arabs, Those lying farther east, in the direction of Geryville — Asla, Shellalar Dehrani, Shellala Guebli, Bu Semghum, Upper and Lower Arba — also recognise the authority of an Arab tribe, the powerful Ulad Sidi-esh-Sheikh family,