UNIVALVES. 187 
To such scenes of desolation, and subsequent fer- 
tility, the following stanzas most probably refer. 
They afford a fine specimen of oriental poetry, and 
were translated by Sir William Jones from the Moa- 
laket, one of the seven Arabian poems, which are 
suspended in the Temple of Mecca. 
i, 
Desolate are the mansions of the fair, the stations in 
Minia, where they rested, and those, where they fixed their 
abodes! Wild are the hills of Goul, and deserted are the sum- 
mits of Rijaam. 
Tt. 
The canals of Rayaan are destroyed; the remains of them 
are laid bare, like characters engraved on the solid rock. 
Il. 
Dear spot! many a year has been closed, many a month, 
holy, and unhallowed, has elapsed, since I exchanged vows with 
thy fair inhabitants. 
IV. 
The rainy constellations of spring have made their hills 
green and luxuriant; the drops from the thunder clouds have 
drenched them with profuse, as well as with gentle showers. 
v: 
Here, the wild eringo-plants raise their heads; here, the 
antelopes bring forth their young by the sides of the valley ; and 
here, the ostriches drop their eggs.” 
I have entered more particularly into the natural 
history of the Termites, because their operations 
tend to elucidate those of the Z'eredines, with which 
