At two or three spots, during the afternoon, we had noticed fragments of pine cones, which the more excited our curiosity, as up to this we had not seen a true conifer in Marocco, and there was no reason to expect the appearance in this region of any other species than the Atlantic Cedar. When asked on the subject, the sheik declared that they had been dropped by strangers who had come from a great distance. The only explanation for a lie, apparently so objectless, is to be found in the deep-rooted suspicion which the mountain tribes feel as to all strangers, but which in the case of the sheik was intensified by religious bigotry. It was satisfactory to find a few trees about the highest point which we reached—700 or 800 feet above the village—and to ascertain that the cones belonged to the _Pinus halepensis_. It is remarkable that, when questioned, our Jew guide gave for the tree the name _Tæda_. There is much doubt as to the species which Pliny knew by the name _Pinus Tæda_, but it is pretty clear that the Romans applied the name _tæda_ to various species of pine used for torches; and to this day, in the Italian Tyrol, where brands of _Pinus Mughus_ are commonly adopted for that purpose, they go by the name of _tea_. The preservation of the exact Latin term in this remote region, along with that of the _furbiune_, already mentioned, appears worthy of note. Well content with our collections, we returned before sunset, but our good-humour was soon troubled by the recalcitrant sheik, who seemed resolved to frustrate the main object of our expedition. When our interpreter was charged to arrange with him for our departure early next morning, he returned an answer to the effect that we could go with safety no farther than the village of Iminteli; that the great mountain was frequented by the Sous people, and could not safely be approached by us; and this was wound up by a flat refusal to let us proceed any farther. When it was found that he stuck doggedly to this resolution, Hooker judiciously resolved to assume a more resolute tone. ‘Tell him,’ he said to Abraham, ‘that the Sultan has issued his order that we should go to the snow—El Graoui has ordered that we shall go the snow—the Kaïd of Amsmiz has ordered that we shall go to the snow—if he refuses to carry out their orders, we shall return to Amsmiz, and send a courier to the Viceroy and to El Graoui, and we shall see what will be the consequence.’ After some delay, the answer came, that if we went to the mountain, it would be necessary to take an escort of fifty armed men. ‘Tell him,’ was the reply, ‘that he may take as many men as he likes—five men, or fifty men, or none at all—we do not care as to that; but the Sultan’s command must be executed!’ The sheik sullenly gave way, and promised that all should be ready for the next morning. After achieving this victory, we proceeded to dust the floor profusely with insect powder, and to spread our mattresses: our insect enemies either held aloof,