Air, Or Asben, an oasis in the desert of Sahara, situated between lat. 16° and 20° N., and lon. 5° and 10° E. It is bordered by the territory of the Kelowi Tuariks on the north, and by Soodan, or Negroland, on the south. Dr. Barth terms it the Switzerland of the desert, and the frontierland of negrodom. Its northern borders are infested by a savage race who rob and often murder strangers passing through the country. In the north is the mountain group of Gunge, 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. Vegetation thrives in the valleys; it is the northern limit of the doum palm; there are groves s\v arming with ring doves, hoopoes, and other birds.

And highlands abounding in asses and goats. To the south are the groups of Mt. Bunday, Eghellal, Anderas, and Baghzen. A desert plateau, with an average elevation of 2,000 feet, the home of the giraffe, wild ox, and ostrich, divides Air from Soodan. The inhabitants of Air are blacker and shorter than those of Az-kar, and, instead of the austere and regular northern features, have a rounder and more cheerful expression of countenance. The principal places are Agades and Tintellust. This is probably the most southern place in central Africa where the plough is used; for all over Soodan the hoe is the sole implement for preparing the ground. The government of the country is presided over by the sultan of Agades, and his chief vassal is emir of Tintellust. The inhabitants are fanatical Mohammedans. If a man marries a woman of another village, he must go and live in her village, not she in his. The hereditary power does not descend to the son, but to the sister's son. The arms, in general, are the spear, the sword, and the dagger, and an immense shield of antelope hide; some use bows and arrows. A few only have muskets, and those few keep them for show rather than actual use.

The valleys are but poorly cultivated, and every piece of clothing material has to be imported, the population being sustained in large part by the salt trade of Bilma. The tolls levied on this article, in return for protection afforded, constitute almost the whole source of revenue to the sheiks of Tintellust, Loosoo, and others. The name Air first appears in the description of Leo Africa-nus, written in 152G. It was introduced by the Berber conquerors, as Asben is the aboriginal name still used by the black and mixed population. - See Richardson's "Journal of a Mission to Central Africa" (London, 1853), and Dr. Barth's " Travels in Central Africa " (London, 1857).