^6^ T R AV ELS IN 
and very abundant, efpeclally in the country 
of the Kabobiquas. 
In fine, we are informed by ajl travellers, 
that the Egyptians, notwithftanding the falu- 
brlty of their climate, are fubje^t to blindnefs j 
a melancholy infirmity, which muft be prin- 
cipally afcribed to the faline duft which is fo 
frequently driven into their eyes by the wind : 
and there were alfo many blind perfons in the 
countries of which I fpeak, I faw none any 
where elfe ; whereas all the Inhabitants here 
were more or lefs affected with a diforder of 
the eyes. 
This ftriking refemblance between two coun- 
tries, feparated by the whole breadth of , the 
torrid zone, could not fail to excite my curio^ 
fity. I conjeSured that the duft with which 
I faw the plain covered was natron ; I ima- 
gined that I fhould find ftill more as I advan- 
ced farther into the country ; and the foil 
without vegetation, of which the Sandal-bearers 
had fpoken, ftrengthened this conjed:ure, and 
added one motive more to thofe I already felt 
forcarrying my Intended projedt Into execution. 
The oppofition made to it by my people 
prefei^tecl 
