304 HISTORY OF 



In Egypt,* a kingdom so noted for its fertility, 

 and the brightness of its atmosphere, during sum- 

 mer, the south winds are so hot, that they almost 

 stop respiration ; besides which, they are charged 

 with such quantities of sand, that they sometimes 

 darken the air, as with a thick cloud. These 

 sands are so fine, and driven with such violence, 

 that they penetrate every-where, even into chests, 

 be they shut ever so closely. If these winds 

 happen to continue for any length of time, they 

 produce epidemic diseases, and are often follow- 

 ed by a great mortality. It is also found to rain 

 but very seldom in that country ; however, the 

 want of showers is richly compensated by the co- 

 piousness of their dews, which greatly tend to 

 promote vegetation. 



In Persia, the winter begins in November, and 

 continues till March. The cold, at that time, is 

 intense enough to congeal the water ; and snow 

 falls in abundance upon their mountains. Dur- 

 ing the months of March and April, winds arise, 

 that blow with great force, and seem to usher in 

 the heats of summer. These return again in 

 autumn with some violence, without, however, 

 producing any dreadful effects. But, during 

 their summer, all along the coasts of the Persian 

 Gulf, a very dangerous wind prevails, which 

 the natives call the sameyel, still more dreadful 

 and burning than that of Egypt, and attended 

 with instant and fatal effects. This terrible blast, 

 which was, perhaps, the pestilence of the an- 



* Buffon, vol.ii. p. 258. 



