THE KOMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



while along the edge extends a large district 

 covered with salt, distinguished from the rest by 

 its peculiar colour. 



Suddenly a herd of gazelles is seen playfully 

 bounding over the sandy mounds, and displaying 

 their elegant forms, and striking though simple 

 colours, and the inimitable grace and beauty of all 

 their actions. The Bedouins seize their lances, the 

 travellers draw their pistols, and, distributing 

 themselves into a wide circle, endeavour to encom- 

 pass the herd. They seem heedless and uncon- 

 scious for a time, and then, as the intruders 

 approach, they hold up their beautiful heads, toss 

 their curved and taper horns, and trot up into a 

 closer group. Then, seeing their enemies spurring 

 their steeds from behind the sandy hillocks all 

 round them, they suddenly shoot away with the 

 rapidity of the wind, easily dash through the 

 loosely-formed circle, and, though lances are cast, 

 and pistol-shots resound, unharmed they quickly 

 distance the fleetest of their pursuers; turn and 

 gaze, as if in mingled curiosity and contempt, and 

 then away again, bounding over the tawny sand 

 with an agility that seems rather that of flight 

 than of running. 



Or would you see the hyena, where he feels most 

 at home, surrounded by scenes and circumstances 

 most congenial to his habits? Then plod your 

 weary way still further across the sands, and 

 pause not till you encamp amid the gorgeous re- 

 mains of that ancient City of the Wilderness, 



M Whose temples, palaces,— a wondrous dream, 

 That passes not away,— for many a league 

 Illumine yet the desert." 



There sit down alone amid the ruined fanes lighted 



up by the setting sun, and watch the approach of 



night, just at the breaking up of the long dry 



46 



