“ A town and commune in the Department of Constantine, Algeria, on the south side of the Aures Mountains, 117 miles southwest of Constantine by rail. It is the most important military post of the district, and formerly had a large caravan trade between the Sahara and the Tell (Map: Africa, E 1) . Biskra is situated in the midst of a highly fertile oasis, rich in date-palms and olives. The climate is the warmest in Algeria, the summer temperature rising often above 120° F.; in winter, however, the freezing-point is not infrequently reached. ”