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The sombre brilliancy of the moon and starlight nights is 

 so much the more refreshing to the eye which has been 

 dazzled by the ocean-light of day. The air is so pure 

 and dry, that except in the immediate vicinity of the 

 river, in spite of the sudden change at sunset, there is no 

 fall of dew. We have almost forgotten what rain is, for 

 it is above six months since it last rained with us in 

 Sakara. A few days ago Ave rejoiced, when towards 

 evening we discovered some light clouds in the sky in 

 the south-west, which reminded us of Europe. Never- 

 theless, we do not want coolness even in the day-time, 

 for a light wind is almost ahvays blowing, which does 

 not allow the heat to become too oppressive. Added to 

 this, the Nile water is pleasant to the taste, and may be 

 enjoyed in great abundance without any detriment." 



The grand peculiarity and excellence of the climate oi 

 the Thebaid and Nubia is its dryness, which is evidenced 

 by many remarkable facts. The rock temples and tombs 

 exhibit, in their primeval freshness, paintings above three 

 thousand years old, and linen, fruits, moats, bi-ead, and 

 other materials quickly perishable in moist climates, are 

 here preserved as if unaffected by decay, and affording 

 convincing evidence that, year after year, the climate 

 retains this characteristic feature. I never met with a 

 single conferva, lichen, or moss throiighout the whole 

 Thebaid or Niibia, though most diligently sought for ; 

 and the difficulty of bringing fresh specimens of plants 

 uninjured to the boat, for preservation in the herbarium, 

 was exceedingly great, as they became so soon dessicated 

 and shrivelled up. 



* The air of the desert is even drier than that of the 

 valley of the Upper Nile, and is remarkably buoyant, re- 

 freshing, and invigorating, though here also there is a 

 very marked difference between the temperature of day 

 and night, as we found by experience, and as may be seen 



