It may have been formed by baking of the tufa, which in this country seems always to have been poured out with water after volcanic action.

Hassane's daughter was just lifting a pot of French beans, boiled in their pods, off the fire when we entered the village, these he presented to me, and when I invited him to partake, he replied that he was at home and would get something, while I was a stranger on a journey.

He, like all the other headmen, is a reputed doctor, and his wife, a stout old lady, a doctoress; he had never married any wife but this one, and he had four children, all of whom lived with their parents.

We employed one of his sons to go to the south side and purchase food, sending at the same time some carriers to buy for themselves.

The siroko and rice bought by Hassane's son we deposited with him for the party behind, when they should arrive.