136 THK WORLD, 



notice oi its approach, and are so well aware of the noxious quali- 

 ties arising from its extreme dryness, that they bury their noses 

 in the sand to avoid breathing it. So impetuous is this wind that 

 its fury is past in a few moments. 



We have now briefly described the more prominent winds 

 which blow over the surface of our globe. We shall, when con- 

 sidering the changes which have modified, or entirely altered the 

 face of the various continents and islands, which at present, form 

 the * dry land" of our planet, perceive that they have acted a 

 most important part. No force can resist the perpetual assault of 

 the winds and waves. The sea, lashed into fury by the careering 

 tempest, forces its way through barriers of porphyry and granite, 

 undermines the rocky cliffs, and piles immense dunes or sand- 

 hills along the low shores. Beneath the fine sands of the bound- 

 less eastern deserts, the monuments of ancient Egypt, her sta- 

 tues and sculptured temples, have lain hidden for ages, but the 

 dry impalpable powder has fallen harmless upon them, and now, 

 when the curious traveler from the western world, from lands 

 unknown to the hierophants, uncovers with careful hands the 

 buried tombs of kings, he beholds the color glowing upon the 

 walls as bright, and perfect, as when first laid on by the Egyptian 

 artist 3000 years ago ; and the winged globe and heads of Isis 

 as sharply outlined as though chiseled but yesterday. 



