i6 TRAVELS IN AFRICA, 
In the places where we generally refted are found the jerboa, 
the tortoife, the lizard, and fome ferpents, but not in great 
number. There is alfo an immenfe quantity of fnails attached 
to the thorny plants on which the camels feed. Thefe the 
Arabs frequently eat. Very few birds were vifible in this 
quarter, except of the marine kind. One of our party killed a 
fmall hawk, which was the only one I faw. Near the few 
fprings of water are found wild rabbits, which in Arabic they 
diftinguifh by the fame name as the hare, (l-aJ^;!) and the 
track of the antelope and the oftrich are frequently difcoverable. 
We pafled no day without being incommoded with frequent 
fhowers; and generally a cold w-ind from north-weft and north- 
weft by north. Several fmall parties of Bedouins, who were 
feeding a few goats, fheep, and alTes, were encamped in the 
road, and in the vicinity of the lake Mareotis, now dry. Such 
of them as were the friends of our conductor received us with 
every mark of hofpitality and kindnefs ; and regaled us with 
milk, dates, and bread newly baked. One party, indeed, be- 
came contentious for a prefent, or tribute on pafTmg; but being 
in no condition to enforce their demand, it was after a time re- 
linquifhed. 
On Sunday the 4th, having travelled about fix hours, wc 
came to a well where was a copious fupply of water; and 
having given the camels time to drink, we left the coaft, and 
proceeded in a fouth-weft diredion. From Alexandria to this 
well, the time employed in motion was feventy-five hours 
and an half, or nearly fo. Thence to Siwa, there being little 
or no water, we were obliged to ufe all poITible diligence in 
the 
