The Atlas is an extensive chain, form ing a crescent across the empire of Mo rocco, nearly from the north to the south, the northern extremity reaching to the Straights of Gibraltar. They are inter sected by deep vallies, and distinguiSlied by the names of the Greater and Lesser Atlas; their height is very great, and par. titularly near the city of Morocco, where, although situated so far to the south, their summits are perpetually covered with snow. The difficulty attending the ex ploration of the country, has hitherto re pressed the curiosity of the philosopher, who would meet with little respect from the natives, and probably a summary fate, through the despotism of the govern ment; under these circumstances we are compelled to receive casual information instead of philosophical certainty, and to adopt as fact what might perhaps on ex amination prove mere conjecture or mis information; such may be the assertion, that the cold on the summits is fatal to animal life, as it is said certain Braes who attempted to ascend the Atlas, died on the spot. These mountains abound with curious plants, well worth the at tention of botanists; and it is further as serted, that they contain gold, and plenty of iron-ore, and that part of the chain is volcanic. Mr. Le mp ri ere, who crossed the Atlas in December 1790, observes, " on the upper parts, in some places, there was nothing to be seen but an huge mass of barren and rugged rocks, whose perpendicular and immense heights formed precipices, which, upon looking down filled the mind with inexpressible horror ; in others, we passed through thick and extensive forests of the arga tree, which, though it afforded. an agree
able variety, being the only vegetable on the mountains, very little lessened the general appearance of barrenness. It is by no means a very easy matter to de scribe the different sensations which are experienced in passing over these won derful mountains. Their immense height, the dangerous precipices, the vales, which, from their depth appeared like so many abysses, inspired altogether an emo tion of awe and terror, which may be better conceived than expressed. On the other hand, the unlimited and great va= riety of prospects discoverable from their summits ; the numerous herds of goats and sheep which were scrambling over the almost perpendicular cliffs; and the universal barrenness of the mountains. contrasted with the beautiful verdure of the vallies immediately below ; formed on the whole a scene sufficiently beautiful and picturesque, to counterbalance the inconveniences we otherwise suffered."