Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/49

 range. Lastly, in the south-east, stretches the largest member of the group, the crescent-shaped and evergreen Kebabo, which has a total length of no less than 120 miles. Here is concentrated nearly the whole population of Kufra, and about the middle of the oasis has been founded the village of Jof, or the "hollow," which has now become the largest agglomeration of huts in this region of Africa. Here also stands the monastery where reside the masters of the land. The Zauya-el-Itat, or "Convent of Purity," presents the aspect of a fortress. Above its lofty white

walls, which are strong enough to sustain a siege, nothing is visible except the roofs of the terraced houses. But no longer dreading an open attack, the Senûsiya brethren, who reside within the enclosure to the number of two hundred and fifty, nearly all in separate cells, have laid out garden beyond the precincts. Close to the convent itself they have planted an orchard several acres in extent, where are cultivated nearly all the fruit-trees of the Tripolitana oases. Of the million of date-palms owned by them in the Kufra territory, nearly a third were received from the piety of the faithful.