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covered with Porcupine Grass, Triodia irritans, or other species, 

 which is feared by all creatures. In places the Porcupine Grass 

 extends for miles, resembling in appearance a waving field of 

 corn. The soil is chiefly a red-colored loose sand, blown into 

 hills and even chains of hills, between which extend plains of 

 dark-grey loamy soil. Extensive limestone rises are also seen. 

 The soil is passable, but the rainfall is too scanty. After rain 

 herbage grows upon the red sand and the limestone hills, 

 wherever the Porcupine Grass will allow it. The plains, how- 

 ever, are the most fertile. 



2. Climate. 



A clear sky, bright sunshine, very great heat, and long-con- 

 tinued droughts usually prevail. The idea of the four seasons 

 in equal proportions is scarcely applicable here, for both spring 

 and autumn may be very hot. The hottest months are December, 

 January, and February, the last two being the worst, as the heat 

 then continues day and night with hardly any intermission for 

 two or three weeks. The temperature rises usually to 112 deg. 

 F. in the shade of our reed-thatched verandah, exceptionally even 

 to 115 deg. F., and sinks often scarcely below 90 deg. F. in the 

 morning. After sunrise it again rises rapidly, and is frequently 

 above 100 deg. F. at 9 a.m., and the same at sunset. In the 

 spring months, viz., October and November, the heat is often as 

 high as 110 deg. F., but lasts only three days, being produced by 

 the north-west winds. The pleasant south-east wind then pre- 

 vails for several days until again overpowered by the former. 

 The north-westerly wind usually fills the air with dense clouds of 

 dust, making things invisible at a hundred yards distance. The 

 south-easterly wind acts frequently in the same way, but minus 

 the excessive heat. In April and May the same winds prevail, 

 but are not as strong. 



The pleasantest months are May, June, July and August, 

 which may be termed the winter months. If it begins to be 

 chilly in May, the two last months are usually mild and warm, 

 but if the cold sets in during July, this month and August are 

 the coldest. The thermometer sinks then at night to a few 

 degrees below 30 deg. F., as low as 20 deg. F. occurs rarely. The 

 thin ice formed at night begins to melt soon after sunrise, but 

 remains frequently till noon in shady places. The south-east 

 wind is often raw and disagreeable at this period, even by day. 

 Snow is not known to have occurred here, but hoar-frost is some- 

 times observed in calm weather. Excessive perspiration day and 

 night during tlie long-continued heat renders the body weak and 

 sensitive, so that the cool or cold weather is felt very severely. 

 Catarrh prevails at this season, although it is the time for recoup- 



