THE RAINS OF TIIK SAHARA 



77 



of the desert. Under their influence the sandy plains are 

 soon covered with grasses and shrubs. In the dry season, on 

 the contrary, the green carpet disappears, and the country 

 then changes into a dry waste, covered with stubbles and tufts of 

 mimosas. This beneficial change, however, does not take place 

 every year ; for the tropical rains frequently fail to appear on 

 their northern boundaries, and thus disappoint the hopes of 

 the thirsty desert. 



Tuaryk Chieflain. 



