VARIOUS WINDS. 135 



mil any exertion. The Harmattan is a cold dry wind of very 



parching quality, frequent in Africa; it is a periodical wind of un- 

 certain continuance, and is attended by ft thick fog or haze,which 

 either wholly obscures the sun or makes it appear a faint red easily 

 borne by the eye. It is so dry that the eyes, lips, palate &c., are 

 parched and painful, causing the skin to shrink and crack, and 

 sometimes to peel off. It is however considered as an effectual 

 cure for some diseases. The Samielor Simoon, is a burning, pes- 

 tilential blast, extremely arid, which springs up at times in the 

 vast deserts of Africa, and rushes with tremendous fury, involving 

 whole pillars of sand. It produces instantaneous death, and 

 mortifies the body so effectually, that the limbs may be separated 

 without difficulty , The camels seem to have an almost instinctive 



