The morning of May 19 broke brilliantly. Although on the preceding day we had travelled under a blue sky, the higher mountains had been concealed by dense masses of fleecy _cumuli_, and we were not prepared for the grandeur of the panoramic view that was spread before our eyes, as we sallied from our tents in the early morning. A large portion of the range of the Great Atlas of Marocco stood robed in glittering snow down to a height of about 7,000 feet above the sea level, only the projecting ribs of rock appearing through the white vestment along the higher and steeper ridges. In the annexed sketch is shown the part of the range nearest to our camp, lying between the head of the Aït Mesan valley, and that of the next adjoining (much shorter) valley that opened nearly due south from our station. The view, however, extended in both directions far beyond the nearer part of the range. The high peaks of the Ourika district were sharply cut against the sky, but so crowded together that their relative position was not apparent. Farther east were other high peaks, probably belonging to the district of Glaoui. Turning westward, it was seen that to the right of the high group shown in the sketch, the valley which feeds the main branch of the Oued Nfys runs deep into the main range, which here sinks to the comparatively low level of about 7,500 feet. Towards this valley the high snow-clad mass before us fell with comparatively easy slopes, nowhere difficult of access; and we indulged in the hope that, by fixing our camp pretty high up, we should be able to effect another ascent. To the west of this great gap the main chain rises again to a considerable height, but less by at least 2,000 feet than that of the central range which we were now about to leave. The western range also differs in being less continuous; the peaks are comparatively isolated, and of massive, conical form; and the intervening passes do not seem to rise above the level of tree vegetation. We observed that, even allowing for its lesser elevation, the western range showed much less snow, whether because during the recent bad weather the precipitation was more considerable on the eastern group, or because in the region nearer to the ocean this had fallen mainly in the form of rain. [Illustration:_J. B. delt._ WEST END OF THE MAROCCO ATLAS FROM SEKTANA] After a rather late breakfast, the hour fixed for the departure of our travelling companion having arrived, we with much regret bade adieu to Maw, whose engagements in England hastened his return. He carried with him a considerable collection of living plants which, owing to his skill and experience in managing this difficult process, arrived in excellent condition, and have since thriven in his garden in Shropshire. The soldiers of our escort who accompanied him to Mogador, bore orders to the local authorities which ensured their respect and attention, and, as we afterwards learned, his journey was in every way successful.