villages, change them into barrenness and desolation."* 

 " At twelve miles distant (says Mr. Bruce) there 

 is a ridge of mountains, (near Grabba) of no con- 

 siderable height, perhaps the most barren in the 

 world." 



" There is not even the trace of any living crea- 

 ture, neither serpent, lizard, antelope, or ostrich, the 

 usual inhabitant of the most dreary deserts. "f 



In speaking of the mountains between the Nile and 

 Red Sea, Mr. Bruce observes : 



"It was one of the most extraordinary sights I 

 ever saw. The former mountains were of considera- 

 ble height, without a tree or shrub, or blade of grass 

 upon them ; but these now before us had all the ap- 

 pearance, the one of having been sprinkled over with 

 Havana, the other with Brazil snuff." f 



Hence it will appear that not only the plains of the 

 valley, but the mountains themselves were yielding 

 their supplies to this great work. For, their height 

 not being great, the winds were wafted up their sides 

 and over their summits, loaded with sand, to replace 

 the wastes of the plains below. 



Having pointed out, and examined the sources of 

 these supplies, I proceed to explain the effect of the 

 winds, and the results of their operations, in promoting 



* Denon's Travels, voP. II. page 2. 

 t Bruce's Travels, vol. I. paa;e 175. 



| Bruce's Travels, vol. I. page 190. See also AH Bey's Tra- 

 vels, vol. II. page 136. 



