A species of deer of a smaller size than the common park deer of England. Its head, neck, and back, are of a brownish red; and a pale streak of the same colour, running on a white ground, is continued on each side from the haunch to the hoof: the rest of the body is of a clear and delicate white. Such, if the Fezanners are to be credited, is the cleanliness of its temper, or such, more probably, is its dislike to the chill of a watery soil, that during the autumnal rains, which fall in the Desarts of Zahara, where it chiefly inhabits, no traces of its lying down have ever yet been seen. In the stillness of the night it often ventures to the corn fields of Fezzan, where, in traps prepared for the purpose, it is sometimes taken. The _food_ of the lower classes of the people consists of the flour of Indian corn, seasoned with oil; of dates, apricots, and pomegranates, and of calabashes, cucumbers, and garden roots. Persons of a superior rank are also supplied with wheat bread, which is baked in their own houses; with mutton, goats flesh, the flesh of the camel, and that of the antelope; and with a great variety of fruits, and of garden vegetables. Fezzan produces a sufficiency of salt for the consumption of its own inhabitants. The water in general has a mineral taste; yet some of the springs are pure; but the favourite beverage consists of a liquor which the date tree, like the palm, affords. At first it possesses the mild flavour and cooling quality of orgeat; but acquires, when fermented, an acescent taste and intoxicating strength that are still more highly valued. To the palm the loss of so large a proportion of its sap is generally fatal; but the hardier date tree recovers from its wound, and in the course of two or three years regains its former health. In their _Religion_ the people of Fezzan are rigid Mahometans; not intolerant to the opinions of others, but strict and superstitious in the observance of their own. The _Government_ of Fezzan is purely monarchical; but its powers, which seem to be restricted by the influence of opinion, are administered with such paternal regard to the happiness of the people, the rights of property are so much revered, the taxes are so moderate, and the course of justice is directed by so firm, and yet so temperate a hand, that the inhabitants of Fezzan (as far as a judgment can be formed from the feelings of those who travelled with Mr. LUCAS) are affectionately and ardently attached to their Sovereign.[6] The present King, Mohammed Ben Mohammed, is descended from one of the Shereefs of Tafilet, in the kingdom of Morrocco, who was related to the Regal Family of that empire, and who, about 400 years since, obtained possession of the Crown of Fezzan.