THE RAINLESS BELTS. 123 



with giraffes, gazelles, wild cattle, and even, it is said, with lions and 

 elephants. Great numbers of reptiles, lizards, serpents, and tortoises 

 inhabit the sand and the crevices of the rocks. 



South of the above-named Deserts, towards 17 N. lat., is placed 

 the limit of the Eainless District. Under the 18th parallel the 

 rains do not last above one or two months in the year, and in some 

 years are absolutely wanting ; but when they do fall, it is generally 

 in impetuous torrents. As we advance towards the Equator they 

 become more regular, and last for longer periods. According to 

 Humboldt, the average yearly rainfall in 19 N. lat. measures 80 

 inches ; under the equator, 9 6 inches. In these tropical climes the 

 year is divided into two seasons one of excessive drought, and one 

 of excessive rain. During the former, the sky is ever cloudless ; 

 during the latter, completely overcast. 



There are, in fact, two rainless belts or districts, one on each side 

 of the Equator. In the old world, the northern belt commences on 

 the west side of Africa; includes the Sahara between 16 and 28 of 

 latitude ; and narrowing as it extends easterly, comprises on the 

 banks of the Nile from 19 to 27. It also embraces the low coast; 

 and portions of the interior of Arabia ; passes through Beloochistan 

 to the base of the Himalayas, and terminates with the rainless table- 

 land of Thibet. The southern district occurs north of the Gareep or 

 Orange River in South Africa, and includes wide tracts in Australia, 

 and a narrow belt in South America. 



Where the earth is blessed with copious showers, vegetation will 

 abound ; grass, and herb, flower, bush, and tree ; 



' Fields of grain 

 Will bend their tops 

 To the numberless beating drops." 



To meet with the true Desert we must, therefore, direct our steps in a 

 north-westerly course, and penetrate into The Sahara. 



M. Charles Martins, in his elaborate monograph on this re- 



