NO. 4 SITE FOR SOLAR-RADIATION STATION MOORE 1 5 



sula. About a month was required to pack the Brukkaros apparatus 

 for shipment to Washington, and the day after Christmas we left 

 Keetmanshoop en route to the east coast of Africa via Johannesburg. 

 We made a short side trip to Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, and 

 sailed from Durban on January 20, arriving at Port Said on Feb- 

 ruary 19. 



Nearly two weeks were required to make arrangements for pro- 

 ceeding to Mount St. Katherine. We learned from Maj. D. J. Wal- 

 lace Bey, in charge of the Frontiers Department of the Egyptian 

 Government, that it would be perfectly safe for Mrs. Moore to accom- 

 pany the expedition, and he gave us the necessary permit to proceed 

 across the Sinai desert. Mrs. Moore had kindly assisted with the 

 observing during the whole sojourn in Southwest Africa, and it was 

 good news indeed when we learned that she would not have to remain 

 in Cairo during the expedition's stay in Sinai. 



By a strict government rule, not less than two cars may undertake the 

 desert journey across the Sinai Peninsula. We had only the car that 

 we had used in Southwest Africa, so it became necessary for us to 

 rent an additional car. Three natives had to be engaged : a dragoman 

 or guide to act as interpreter and arrange the details of our trip; a 

 chauffeur for the rented car; and owing to the sort of caste system 

 prevailing in the country, a third man for water carrier and guard. 



Three trips were made to Mount St. Katherine, and in each instance 

 Cairo served as the base of supplies, although the actual start across 

 the desert was made from Suez. The road led north from Suez to 

 Kubri, where we were ferried across the Canal, then south along the 

 east bank of the canal to a point opposite Suez, thence it turned inland, 

 in a few miles passing the Springs of Moses, a beautiful oasis where, 

 tradition states, the Israelites first camped after leaving Egypt. The 

 road then traversed a most barren and desolate region a short dis- 

 tance inland, but again returned to the coast at the little port of Abu 

 Zenima, belonging to an English manganese mining company. On the 

 first two trips we entered the mountains at Wadi Sidri, about 20 miles 

 south of Abu Zenima, but on the third trip we continued on to the 

 mouth of Wadi Feiran, and remained in this wadi (or canyon) until 

 we had passed the Feiran oasis and convent. The route via Wadi Sidri 

 is shorter but much more sandy. There is no well-established road, 

 for the most part, in any of these canyons, a person just picking his 

 way as best he can. The Feiran oasis, about 7 miles long, is the 

 largest and most beautiful in the Sinai Peninsula. The stately palms, 

 set off against the very rugged mountains, present a striking picture. 

 Feiran is the site of the ancient Paran of early Bible history. The monk 



