CHAPTER VI.

The Oasis of Fezzan--Population--Ten Districts--Their Denomination and Condition--Sockna--Honn--Worm of the Natron Lakes--Zoueelah--Mixed Race--Improvements in Mourzuk--Heavy Ottoman Yoke--Results of the Census--Amount of Revenue--Military Force--Arab Cavaliers--Barracks--Method of Recruiting--Turkish System superior to French--Razzias--Population of Mourzuk--Annual Market--Articles of Traffic--Acting-Governor and his Coadjutors--Story of a faithless Woman--Transit Duties in Fezzan--Slave Trade--Sulphur in the Syrtis--Proposed Colony from Malta.