INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS DURING THE YEAR 1874. xcvii 



intervening spaces of which have been washed away, pos- 

 sibly by the action of waves npon it. Numerous splinters 

 of flint have been found about certain peaks, produced by 

 the cutting process of the alternate slight dews and frosts 

 which are known in the winter nights of the Sahara. 



The project of converting a portion of the Sahara Desert 

 into an inland sea continues to find favor, and it is under- 

 stood that thorough surveys with a view to determine the 

 precise mode of accomplishing this object are under way by 

 the French government. As to whether the result aimed 

 at is desirable or not is at present a question of considerable 

 discussion. On the one hand, the replacing of a large amount 

 of desert waste by water, and making sea-ports of interior 

 points in Algeria, and the expected restoration of an ample 

 rain-fall to various parts of Northern Africa, are viewed with 

 favorable anticipations. On the other hand, it is maintained 

 that the sea will be simply an immense evaporation basin, 

 which will soon be clogged up with salt ; or that a serious 

 interference will take place in the amount of heated air carried 

 across the Mediterranean, and which at present prevents the 

 extension of the Alpine glaciers. Should this be interrupted, 

 it is feared that increased glaciation will ensue, possibly re- 

 storing a large portion of Central Europe to its condition 

 during the reindeer epoch. Whatever be the result of this 

 great engineering operation, it is extremely probable that it 

 will be attempted by the French authorities. 



It is understood that Captain Roudaire, the originator of 

 the enterprise, has lately proceeded to the locality referred 

 to for the purpose of making a more thorough survey of the 

 region. 



The Khedive of Egypt, in carrying out various measures 

 for the development of the resources of his country, has or- 

 ganized an expedition to survey the physical and geological 

 formations of the Valley of the Nile and the countries adja- 

 cent to the Red Sea. The project has been formed of direct- 

 ing the waters of the Nile into the bed of the ancient river 

 that formerly flowed through the valley, and which is still 

 called by the Arabs the Valley of the Dry Nile. One object 

 of the expedition is to determine whether this be feasible; 

 as, if so, it may result in the reclamation and cultivation of 

 vast tracts of land now desert and sterile. 



