NATURALIST IN INDIA. 35 



among cactus and euphorbia hedges, which surround gardens, 

 where the usual tropical fruit-trees and vegetables struggle 

 for existence. Among others may be observed the graceful, 

 prickly Jerusalem thorn, a laburnum-like tree, with feathery 

 foliage, and pretty yeUow flowers in loose and pendulous 

 racemes. Here and there, at long intervals, are little clusters 

 of date or cocoa-uut, while on the hills and rocky eminences 



" Th' acacia waves her yellow hair, 

 Lonely and sweet— nor loved the less 

 For flowering in a wilderness. " 



As Scinde does not come under the influence of the south- 

 west monsoon, its barren and sterile nature is to be attributed 

 to this cause. Beyond an occasional shower, during the cold 

 months, rain seldom falls. Were it not for the dews, nothing 

 would grow on its arid plains ; these are often so profuse 

 that in the morning the sand appears as though a heavy 

 shower of rain had fallen. The sun, however, soon dissi- 

 pates the coolness of the morning breeze, and the sand 

 getting dried begins to blow about with the sea-breeze, and 

 drives us to seek the shelter of our bungalows, where every 

 door, window, and verandah, is closed to prevent its en- 

 trance J but in spite of all our endeavours it penetrates into 

 drawers and boxes, and, what is stiU more uncomfortable, 

 into the bedding. 



During December, and the two succeeding months, the 

 cold at night is often severe, being frequently 32° Fahrenheit 

 at daybreak, while at noon it often mounts to 75° or 86° in 

 the shade. Such sudden transitions cannot be otherwise than 

 injurious to European constitutions, and though many have 

 stood these shocks for years, there is no mistaking the effects 

 of the Scinde climate on those who long brave its influence — 

 for tardy, and almost Imperceptible as are its manifestations to 



