Marocco, an empire in the N.W. of Africa, called by the natives Moghrib-el-Acsa, or the Extreme West, lies between 28° and 36° N. Lat. and between 1° 20' and 11° 30' W. Long. It is bounded on the N. by the Straits of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, E. by Algeria, S. by the Sahara, and W. by the Atlantic. Area estimated at 222,560 square miles.

The natural features of this extensive country present mountains, plains, and valleys in the utmost variety. The country is traversed from N.E. to S.W. by the Atlas Mountains, which consist of several parallel chains rather than of a single range. The southern portion of these mountains is known by the name of the Greater, and the northern by that of the Lesser Atlas. The north-eastern extremity of the latter approaches the Mediterranean at Cape dell' Acqua to the W. of the mouth of the Mulwia; and a branch called the Er-Riff Mountains stretches westward, and terminates at Ceuta, opposite to Gibraltar. The most celebrated of these is the craggy limestone mountain known by the modern name of Apes Hill, the Mons Abyla of antiquity, and one of the Pillars of Hercules. Towards the Atlantic on the S.W. the Greater Atlas consists of two ranges, one of which ends at Cape Gher and the other at Cape Nun. On the N.W. of the main ridge there is a plain stretching towards the Atlantic, and on the S.E. another stretching towards the Sahara. The whole of Morocco consists of two mountainous and two lower regions. Of the mountainous regions, the most extensive, though not the most elevated, Morocco, is that of Er-Riff, which lies along the coast of the Mediterranean, consisting of barren, rocky heights, with narrow valleys. The other mountainous region consists of the Atlas itself, with the adjacent table-lands and inferior ridges. The mountains of this chain present in general a broad and rounded appearance; but the extreme summits are often bold, steep, and inaccessible. The highest point is believed to be Mount Hentet, which is about 13,000 feet above the sea; and Mitisin, which is situated to the S. of the town of Morocco, attains the height of 11,200 feet.

Of the geology of the Atlas Mountains little is known, except that the lower portions, as far up as 3000 or 4000 feet, consist of secondary limestone, and no traces of volcanic agency have been observed. The north-western plain is for the most part level, and slopes gradually towards the sea. The soil is naturally rich and fertile; and although there are in some places large forests of underwood, and tracts of undulating ground, the uniformity of the surface is in general broken by few trees or eminences. The lowlands, which lie to the S.E. of the Atlas, are of a quite different character from those of the N.W.; for the plains and valleys here are rocky and barren; but there are in many places large clumps of date palms, so that the region to which these districts belong has obtained the name of Bilud-ul-Gerid, or the "country of palms." The coasts of Morocco present as much variety of appearance as the surface of the interior. On the Mediterranean, along which this country extends for 230 miles, the coast is bold and rocky, corresponding to the mountainous character of the inland regions in this part. The most remarkable promontories are those of Ceuta, opposite Gibraltar in Europe, which rises to a considerable elevation; and Cape Spartel, a little further west. The same sort of coast continues beyond the Straits, as far south as the 35th degree of latitude; but about that point a remarkable change takes place. The coast here consists of low sand-hills, behind which there are two lakes, the larger being about 20 miles in length by 14 in breadth. Further to the south the coast is again bold and rocky; but between the extremities of the two branches of the Atlas it is generally low and sandy. The principal headlands on the Atlantic coast of Morocco are Cape Nun in the extreme S., and Cape Blanco in N. Lat. 33.8°, W. Long. 8. 40.

The mountain range of Atlas separates those rivers of Morocco which enter the Atlantic from those which water the south-eastern lowland, and either fall into the Mediterranean or are lost in the sands of the Sahara. The furthest north of the Atlantic rivers is that of El Khas, which rises in the mountain of Er-Riff, and has a length of about 100 miles. The Seboo rises in the Lesser Atlas, flows westward through a rich and fertile plain, and after a course of 230 miles, falls into the Atlantic. From the same mountains, and in the same direction, flows the Bu-Regreb, a small river only 100 miles in length. The Ooon-er-Begh, which flows in the same direction farther to the S., is the largest of the rivers that fall into the Atlantic, being supposed to be upwards of 300 miles long. The Tensift and the Sus also fall into the Atlantic. The Draha, which rises on the E. of Mount Atlas, and was formerly supposed to lose itself in the Sahara, is now believed to fall into the Atlantic, 32 miles S.W. of Cape Nun. On the same side of the mountains rise three rivers,—the Fileli, Ziz, and Ghir, which flow southwards into the Sahara; and the Mulwia, which, rising in the south of the Lesser Atlas, flows northward into the Mediterranean, and has a length of 400 miles. The last of these forms in the lower part of its course the boundary between Morocco and Algeria, but comparatively little is known of the character of the country through which it flows.

The western part of Morocco enjoys a very temperate climate, and the heat does not vary more than from 40° to 90° in the course of the year. This arises on the coast from the cooling sea-breezes, which blow here with great regularity; while in the interior the mountains shelter it from the hot winds of the desert. The year consists of a wet and a dry season; the former of which nearly corresponds to our winter, and continues from November till March, during which time showers frequently fall, with short intervals of dry weather. The other part of the year, on the contrary, is generally dry, showers being unfrequent. Towards the south, also, less rain falls than in the rest of Morocco. On the south-east side of the mountains it is not so well known what is the nature of the climate; but it is probably more extreme in heat and cold, especially the former, on account of its proximity to the Sahara. On this account, also, no rain falls in the south-eastern part of Morocco.

The mineral resources contained in the Atlas Mountains probably are believed to be great. Of these, copper forms the principal part, and is obtained near Tesleight, on the southern slope of the mountains. Gold and silver are also found in some parts, but not in any great abundance. There are said to be iron mines in the interior; and sulphur of antimony, which is used by the native ladies for painting their eyebrows, is obtained from Tedla. Lead, tin, and rock-salt are the chief of the other minerals of Morocco. The soil produces many useful and valuable vegetables; but agriculture is in a very backward state, so that the full advantage is not derived from the fertility of the soil and the mildness of the climate. Wheat, barley, rice, maize, and darra grow in the level regions in great abundance, and the last of these forms the chief article of food to the people. Besides these, pulse of various kinds, cotton, tobacco, hemp, saffron, and sesamum are also grown; and in the neighbourhood of the towns vines are raised, but only for the sake of their grapes and raisins. The trees of Morocco comprehend most of the fruit trees of Southern Europe, such as figs, pomegranates, lemons, oranges, &c. The forests of Er-Riff contain many kinds of oak, among which are the cork oak, and that which bears edible acorns. The north-western slopes of the Atlas are covered with forests of cedar, pine, juniper, olive, walnut, and other trees; while the only trees found on the slopes looking towards the desert are the date and dwarf palm.

Of wild animals there are in Morocco a great number, especially in the southern parts. Lions, panthers, hyenas, wild boars, gazelles, and antelopes abound, especially among the mountains; and ostriches are hunted on the southern borders of the country. Morocco is also sometimes laid waste by locusts. The domestic animals are numerous; and the inhabitants are more extensively employed in rearing cattle than in the culture of the ground. The Moorish horses were formerly highly esteemed; but the breed has now much degenerated, as the best of them are always appropriated by the Sultan, and the exportation of them is prohibited. The number of horses is estimated at 40,000. Horned cattle are more numerous, amounting to 5,000,000 or 6,000,000; and bulls are largely employed in field labour. The sheep amount in number to 45,000,000, and are highly valued on account of their wool. The goats are very numerous; and camels, mules, and asses are also reared.

The population of Morocco consists of many different races, which have never amalgamated or united, but remain quite distinct from one another. The most ancient race seems to be that of the Amazighis or Maghribi, a nation widely spread over the north of Africa, and believed to be the descendants of the ancient people mentioned by Herodotus under the name of Mazyes. Those who inhabit Morocco occupy the mountainous regions, and are divided into two tribes,—the Berbers, who live in the mountains of Er-Riff; and the Shellulis, in the Greater Atlas. The former are middle-sized, well-proportioned, strong, and fair in com- plexion, and live by hunting and rearing cattle. Their habitations are tents or caves in the mountains. Those on the coast are also much addicted to piracy. The Shelluhs are less robust than the Berbers, and have a sallow complexion resembling the Portuguese. They live in houses built of stone, and employ themselves in agriculture and various handicrafts. Altogether they are more civilized than the Berbers. It has been questioned whether the languages of these two tribes are distinct, or merely different dialects of the same. The latter opinion seems the more probable; and it is believed that these are dialects of one language, which is spoken throughout the north of Africa, from the Nile to the Atlantic. The level portions of Morocco are chiefly inhabited by Arabs, of which there are two races,—the Arabs proper, and the Moors. The Arabs, properly so called, are the descendants of those who settled here on the first spread of the Mohammedan religion, and they retain the manner of life of their forefathers in the deserts of Arabia. They live in tents, follow pastoral avocations, and speak a corrupted form of the language of the Koran. The Moors form the most numerous and the dominant race in Morocco. They are sprung from the Mohammedan conquerors of Spain, who were expelled from that country after the conquest of Granada in 1492. These people originally consisted of Arabs, mingled with the aboriginal Amazighs and with the Vandals. When they returned to Africa, however, after their expulsion from Spain, their kinsmen refused to have any intercourse with them, regarding them merely as foreign invaders. The Moors now inhabit the towns and villages, and the country near the coast, so that it is with them only that the Europeans have any intercourse. They are of middle size and very stout; pride and indolence are their chief characteristics; and their manners and customs resemble those of the Egyptians. They speak a dialect of the Arabic, mingled with many words from the Amazighi and Spanish languages. Among all these tribes many Jews are to be found, especially in the places of trade. They are oppressed and despised by the other races, but notwithstanding this, they frequently amass great riches. Their condition, however, is somewhat better among the Berbers than among the other tribes. There are also Negroes, who are brought as slaves from Soudan, and are very numerous in the southern districts. They are treated with considerable mildness, and frequently obtain their liberty.

The empire of Morocco is divided into four territories, which were formerly independent kingdoms, but are now subject to the sultan. These are,—Fez, occupying the northern portion, between the Oum-er-Begh and the Mediterranean; Morocco, occupying the centre, between this river and the Atlas; Suse, occupying the south; and Tafilet, occupying the country to the east of the Atlas. The subdivisions of these are not at all distinctly marked, though they were formerly believed to consist of several provinces, the names of which were derived in some cases from the natural features of the country, and in others from the tribes that inhabit it. For administrative purposes, Fez and Morocco are each divided into fifteen ammala or districts, while three more are made up by the other territories. These districts sometimes comprise no more than a single town, and sometimes extend over a large tract of country. Each is under the dominion of a haid, who collects the taxes from his subjects. The Sultan of Morocco, over those tribes which are really subject to him, has unlimited power. He is supreme both in civil and ecclesiastical matters, and has titles which signify "Lord of the Faithful," and "Viceroy of God on earth." His power is not limited, as in Turkey, by councils or ministers, but he is himself the sole lord of the life, liberty, and property of his subjects. There is no law in Morocco but the will of the sultan and his subordinates; the inferior officers plunder the people, and are in their turn plundered by the sultan. Wherever he happens to reside, he gives audience personally four times a week; for the administration of justice, and sentence is always pronounced without any delay. The dominion of the sultan, however, only extends over the plains; for the Amazighs, who inhabit the mountains, have never been brought into subjection to the Moors, and have a sort of republican government among themselves. The only standing army in Morocco consists of 5000 Negroes, who form the sultan's body-guard. There is also a sort of militia, who are occasionally called out, but receive no pay, except a horse, and a small present when they visit the capital. They are good horsemen and marksmen, but quite undisciplined, and therefore not very effective. The empire is hereditary, and confined to males; but it is not always the eldest son who succeeds, and the succession is frequently disturbed by bloodshed and civil war. The revenue is chiefly derived from taxes on corn and cattle, which are paid in kind, and a poll tax on the Jews; but it is very fluctuating, and has often to be raised by force of arms from the Arab tribes.

The religion of the country is for the most part Mohammedan, and the rites and ceremonies of that creed are observed with the most rigorous strictness; the Jews are everywhere despised, and the only Christian establishment in the country is a Franciscan convent at Tangiers.

The number of elementary schools is great, and in them Education. the children, who go at the age of six, are taught reading and writing, and learn by rote passages from the Koran. There are also upper schools preparatory to entering the university, or "House of Science", as it is called, at Fez. In that institution the principal branches taught are grammar, theology, logic, rhetoric, geometry, and medicine. The art of printing is unknown; but many persons are employed in transcribing the Koran and other books; and writing is much cultivated and esteemed. Arts and sciences are in a very low state; and the only musical instruments are a rude pipe and drum. The people have, however, some taste for music; and among the Shelluhs some plaintive melodies are sung.

In the country districts of Morocco manufactures do not Manufacture form a separate branch of employment, but each family is tures. supplied with the necessaries of life by the labours of its own members. All the women are able to spin woollen and cotton thread, which is woven into cloth by the men. More extensive manufactures are carried on in the towns, and among these tanning occupies the most important place. In this art the workmen of Morocco surpass those of Europe; for they are able, by means of two plants found in the mountains, and not known to Europeans, to render the skins even of the lion and panther extremely soft and white. They have also the art of producing very brilliant colours in leather, which are believed to be imitable in Europe. Of the fine leather known by the name of Morocco, the yellow kind comes from Morocco proper, the green from Tafilet, and the red from Fez. Fez is also remarkable for the woollen caps known by that name, which are manufactured here, and dyed of a bright-red colour by means of a berry found in the neighbourhood. Silk stuffs and girdles are also made at Fez; and the inhabitants are very skilful as goldsmiths and jewellers. In the city of Morocco silks and embroidered goods are also manufactured; and in that province, and the province of Suse, those carpets are made which are called in Europe Turkey carpets. Besides the articles already mentioned, gun-barrels, pottery, and ropes are manufactured at various places, but not to any great extent, nor of good quality.

The commerce of Morocco is carried on chiefly through Commerce. three channels,—viz., 1. By sea, with Europe; 2. By means of caravans to Mecca, with the shores of the Levant; and 3. Across the Great Desert, with Soudan and the other states The trade with Europe by sea is believed to have been begun in 1551 by an Englishman named Thomas Windham; and at the present day two-thirds of the entire trade is in the hands of Great Britain. It is carried on in the seaports along the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The following table shows the amount of the exports and imports of the chief ports of Morocco, from the most recent returns:

| Port | Exports to British Ports | Imports from British Ports | Total | |------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|-------| | Larache | | | | | Tangier | | | |

The exports consist principally of wool, hides, skins, grain, pulse, wax, cattle, sheep, leather, ostrich feathers, &c.; and the principal imports are,—cotton, linen, muslin, sugar, tea, coffee, hardware, &c. The means of inland communication in Morocco are very defective, as there are no roads except in the neighbourhood of the towns, and wheeled vehicles are entirely unknown. Goods have therefore to be conveyed by means of mules, horses, and camels. Few of the rivers have any bridges, and the fords are often impassable in the rainy season. The trade with the East is carried on chiefly by means of the annual caravans, which proceed to Mecca at the time of the great festival there. They leave Fez seven months before the time of this festival, and the length of time thus spent in the journey affords ample opportunities for traffic at the various towns on the way. The principal articles exported by these caravans are,—cochineal, indigo, leather, woollen cloth, and ostrich feathers; while the imports are Persian and Indian goods, spices, &c. Another way of performing the pilgrimage to Mecca is by a coasting voyage from Tangier to Egypt, which is also favourable to commerce. From 1500 to 2000 pilgrims annually embark at Tangier for Mecca by this route. The commerce with the interior of Africa is also carried on by means of caravans, which cross the desert from Tafilet to Timbuctoo. The principal articles exported are,—salt (which is obtained in the desert), woollen cloth, sashes, Turkish daggers, &c.; and they import by this channel ivory, ostrich feathers, gold-dust, indigo, and slaves. The profits of this branch of trade are enormous, being sometimes as much as ten times the capital laid out; but the cost of carriage across the desert is very great.

The present empire of Morocco, along with part of Algeria, was known to the ancients under the name of Mauretania. The authentic history of the country begins from the time when the Romans first became acquainted with it, an event which did not take place till toward the end of the second Punic war. But though they then became acquainted with Mauretania, it was a long time before they conquered that country; and its monarchs were of considerable importance in the foreign and domestic wars of the Romans during the intermediate period. At the time of the war with Jugurtha, the throne of Mauretania was occupied by Bocchus, who, under the pretence of friendship, betrayed Jugurtha to the Romans, and in return for this treachery, was confirmed in his kingdom and received into alliance with Rome. On his death, the kingdom was divided between his two sons, Bogudes and Bocchus. In the first civil war of Rome, both these monarchs supported the party of Caesar, who allowed them to retain their power; but in the war between Octavius and Antony, Bocchus assisted the former, and Bogudes the latter. Bocchus in consequence, usurped the whole kingdom while his brother was absent in Spain, and retained possession of it till his death in 33 B.C., when Mauretania passed into the hands of the Romans. In the year 25 B.C. Augustus gave Mauretania to Juba II., King of Numidia, in exchange for his own country, which was then made a Roman province; and that prince seems to have raised the country to a high degree of prosperity, and to have introduced among the natives much of the civilization of Greece and Rome. In the year 40 A.D. Mauretania came for the second time under the power of the Romans, and in 42 A.D. was divided by Claudius into two provinces,—Mauretania Tingitana, nearly corresponding with Morocco; and Mauretania Caesariensis, comprising part of the modern Algeria. Numerous Roman colonies were founded here, among which Tingis, the modern Tangier, was the most important, and gave its name to the western province; but the Roman power was never firmly established here; and the Moors joined with the Vandals on their invasion in 429. The power of the Vandals was destroyed by Belisarius in 534; but the Moors still continued independent, and made continual inroads on the more civilized portions of the country. In the latter part of the seventh century the Arabs first penetrated into Mauretania as far as the ocean and the Great Desert; and the natives of the country were either driven to the mountains, or joined with their invaders, and adopted their religion, language, and manners. For a long time after this conquest the country remained in a state of great confusion, and was not united under a single government. After the lapse of a century, however, Edris, a descendant of Mohammed, obtained so much influence over the Moorish tribes as to be recognised by them as sovereign of the northern part of Morocco; while the southern was still occupied by independent chiefs. This monarch was succeeded by his son of the same name, who founded the city of Fez in 807. In 1055 Abu Bekr, the chief of a sect of warlike fanatics, first assumed the title of sovereign of Morocco, and his grandson and successor founded the city of Morocco, and made it the royal residence. This dynasty, however, came to an end in 1202, when Fez and some of the other provinces asserted their independence. The Moaristan conquerors of Spain were driven back to Morocco in 1492; and in the next century the territory was again united under a single emperor. This empire, however, which was extended, under Al Mansor, as far as the confines of Timbuctoo, fell to pieces in the beginning of the seventeenth century. Another dynasty was established in 1648 by Mulai Sherif-el-Fileli, King of Tafilet, whose descendants are still the reigning family. In 1844 Abd-el-Kader, the ameer of Algiers, stirred up the Moors to a war with France, which led to the bombardment of Tangier and the occupation of Mogadore; but peace was concluded, and that town evacuated, in the same year. In more recent times the tranquillity of the empire has been disturbed, and the power of the sultan weakened, by internal disorders. The depredations of the Riff pirates have been recommenced; and Prussian and French vessels, as well as a Spanish establishment on the coast, suffered in 1855 and 1856 from their outrages. The French government, however, obtained in 1856 compensation from the sultan; which was the first instance of such redress being peaceably granted.

The population of Morocco is variously estimated, but it does not probably exceed 6,000,000.

Morocco (Arabic Marakesh), the capital of the empire of that name, is situated on the northern side of a rich plain, 4 miles S. of the River Tensift, the principal mosque standing in Lat. 31° 37' 40" N., and Long. 7° 36' W. It is surrounded by a strongly-built machicolated wall of tapia-work, 30 feet high. The foundations are of strong masonry; square towers are placed at intervals of fifty paces; there are eleven strong double gates; and the whole is 6 miles in circumference. This area, however, is far from... being entirely occupied with buildings; it also comprehends large gardens and open spaces from 20 to 30 acres in extent. Of the eleven gates of the city, that called Beb-el-Rom, which conduits to the palace, is by far the best in point of architecture. It is a Moorish horse-shoe arch, richly sculptured in arabesque work, and is said to present a very fine appearance. The streets of Morocco are narrow and irregular, seldom wider than the lanes of European cities; and in many cases the lines of houses on either side are connected by arches with gates, possibly intended for defence in case of attack. Several open spaces, which scarcely deserve the name of squares, are used as market-places, and for other purposes. The houses, which are generally one storey high, have flat roofs and terraces, the side towards the street being plain and whitewashed. As an apology for windows, there are here and there narrow unglazed openings; but the interior disposition of the tenements is much in the Spanish style. Many of the doors are of cypress wood, and highly sculptured. The rooms, which are long and narrow, open into a court surrounded in some cases with arcades, and having a fountain in the centre. With the exception of a mat and a cushion or two, they are destitute of furniture.

On the outside of the southern wall of the city, and facing the Atlas, stands the palace of the sultan. It is encircled by a wall equal in strength to that which surrounds the city, and occupies an area 1500 yards in length by 600 in breadth. The whole is portioned into squares laid out in gardens, round which are detached pavilions, forming the imperial residence. The floors of the rooms are tessellated with variously-coloured tiles, but otherwise they are quite plain, the furniture consisting only of a mat, a small carpet at one end, and some cushions. The walls are painted in the arabesque style, inscribed with numerous verses of the Koran in Arabic, and hung round with arms. Within the city there are nineteen mosques, two emdrasas or colleges, and one hospital. El Koutubia, the principal mosque, stands in an open place of 20 or 30 acres, and is conspicuous above all the others by its lofty square tower, which rises to the height of 220 feet without diminishing, and thus produces a striking and singular effect. It is divided into seven storeys, and its height is apparently about seven times its diameter. This tower resembles two others, which are believed to have been built towards the end of the twelfth century,—the Sma Hassan at Rabat and the Giralda at Seville. Next in height, and coeval in erection, although modernized and well painted, is the mosque of Beni Yussuf. It has a college of talebs—that is, seekers or students—attached to it; and a saint's tomb stands opposite its southern door, formed of three arches, and surmounted by a cupola, delicately wrought with rich Saracenic tracery. El Moazin, said to be the most ancient sacred edifice, is very large, and has several courts opening into each other. The Moorish horse-shoe arches intersect each other in various directions, and have a very rich effect. The mosque of Bel Atlas, the patron saint of Morocco, is surmounted by a cupola covered with green tiles. It contains the tomb of the saint, and has an hospital attached to it for 1500 patients. Morosini. The college and mosque, called Emdrasa del Emshia, stands near the south wall of the city.

The Great Bazaar, called El Kaisseris, is a long range of buildings, protected from the weather, and divided into numerous shops or stalls. The articles exposed for sale are—silk scarfs, shawls, and handkerchiefs from Fez; clothes and carpets from Dacala; cloth, linen, hardware, tea, and sugar, from London; almonds, raisins, and cosmetics, from Suse; corn, beans, and the like, from Shragna; dates from Tafilet; and boots, slippers, saddles, coarse pottery, mats, cord, &c., of domestic manufacture, together with embroidery in gold and silver, in which the inhabitants particularly excel. There are two or three markets, the principal of which is held near the north gate of the city, and is well supplied with home manufactures. There is another for the sale of horses, camels, mules, horned cattle, sheep, and other animals. There are several tanyards in the city, one of which is believed to employ 1500 persons.

The Millah, or Jewish quarter, which is situated at the S.E. corner of the city, is a walled inclosure of about 1½ miles in circumference. It is densely peopled, but filthy in the extreme. All the Jews pay a capitation tax to the sultan, and are treated with the greatest contempt. The Jews exercise several arts and professions, and are the only goldsmiths, tinsmiths, and tailors in Morocco. The Moors, however, are the shoemakers, carpenters, masons, blacksmiths, and weavers.

The city is supplied with water by several subterranean aqueducts. Some of these are 10 or 12 feet in depth, and stretch across the plain to the foot of the Atlas, but the most of them are in ruins, and consequently out of use. This is the strongest evidence which can be produced in support of the fact, that the population of this country was far greater formerly than it is at present, and also that the arts were then more cultivated than they are now. Cemeteries extend beyond the walls, both north and south; and there is one to the east of very considerable dimensions. The city was formerly surrounded with gardens and plantations extending to a great distance, but these have now for the most part disappeared. A few, however, still remain; and the sultan has three of about 15 acres in extent within the city, and two of about 20 acres each 2 miles distant from the walls. Every variety of fruit-tree enriches these gardens,—olive, orange, pomegranate, citron, mulberry, walnut, peach, apple, pear, vine, fig, date, apricot, and the like; whilst trees of beautiful texture or foliage,—the cedar, poplar, acacia, the solemn cypress, and the stately palm,—together with a profusion of flowers and flowering shrubs, form a picturesque scene, where the unchecked luxuriance and beautiful wildness of nature add a charm to the studied elegances of the more regular ornaments of art. The grounds are well supplied with water by means of the conduits already mentioned. The population is variously estimated at from 30,000 to 100,000, but it is probably about 80,000.