Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/432

 All these uplands, in which the older rocks seem to prevail, descend towards the Rif, that is, the "coast," developing a vast semicircle of hills from the Tres Forcas headland to Point Ceuta. The central mass takes the name of Sanejat-Serir, and on the coast the loftiest summits are those of Beni-Hassan, west of Tetuan. The Beni-Hassan, whose culminating point is over 6,600 feet, is continued southwards through the Mezejel, the Jebel-el-Kimas, and the Zarzar, whose conic summit rises above the town of Wezzan. The whole system produces an imposing effect, resembling a number of Rocks of Gibraltar placed side by side on a common

pedestal. The running waters, grassy tracts, wooded and cultivated slopes, render this angle of the continent one of the most delightful regions in Mauritania, forming in this respect a striking contrast with the arid and rugged escarpments of the Rif, which stretches thence eastwards.

The hills skirting the strait over against Gibraltar, although lacking the elevation, majestic appearance, and rich vegetation of the Beni-Hassan highlands, acquire great importance from their position along this great maritime highway.