Africa . h the western Sahara un-molested, the fanaticism of the greater part of the tribeswould oppose itself strongly, it is believed, to similar trafficwith Christians, so that great difficulties would attend theopening up of this region to the commerce of the world. To the east of the caravan route between Tafilet andTimbuktu we enter the domain of the Tuareg (pronouncedTuarej) or Imoshagh, occupying the central portion ofthe Sahara as far as the 12th meridian of east longitudefrom Greenwich. This line forms the boundary linebetween them and the Tibbus, who occupy some parts ofthe eastern
Africa . h the western Sahara un-molested, the fanaticism of the greater part of the tribeswould oppose itself strongly, it is believed, to similar trafficwith Christians, so that great difficulties would attend theopening up of this region to the commerce of the world. To the east of the caravan route between Tafilet andTimbuktu we enter the domain of the Tuareg (pronouncedTuarej) or Imoshagh, occupying the central portion ofthe Sahara as far as the 12th meridian of east longitudefrom Greenwich. This line forms the boundary linebetween them and the Tibbus, who occupy some parts ofthe eastern section of the Sahara, though the extremeeast adjoining the Egyptian frontier appears to be nearlyuninhabited. 5. The Central Section of the Sahara (Domain of the Tuareg).We have now to speak of the central region of the 90 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL. Great Desert reaching northwards as far as Algeria,Tunis, and a portion of Tripoli, and southward for 1200miles to the fertile borders of the METLILI FBOM THE EAST. 6. The Towns of Wargla, Tuggurt, and Metlili. Of the oases of the Algerian border land, which areincluded in this section, that of Wargla is unquestionablythe most important. It lies in 32° K latitude surroundedby sand, like a green island in an ocean of fire, and hasformed part of the French Algerian possessions since theexpedition of Colomieu in 1862. The town of Wargla itself lies in a low-lying dis- THE CENTRAL SAHARA. 91 trict abounding in palm-trees. The streets are so narrowthat a man on horseback could not turn round betweenthe houses, which are built of sun-dried brick withearthen floors, and all only one story high, usually withan inscription from the Koran over the door. Themarket, serving also for the shambles, reeks with blood,while the flesh of camels and dogs lies in the sun, infestedby swarms of flies. Hence it is not perhaps surprisingthat Wargla is very unhealthy and subject to dwell four different races on amicable terms.
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Keywords: ., bookauthorkeaneaha, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookyear1878
