TRAVELS IN THE SAHARA. 
285 
Brisson relates, that some of them expressed this 
idea in unequivocal terms. " Behold," said they, 
" that luminary, which is unknown in thy coun- 
" try. During the night, thou art not enlighten- 
M ed, as we are, by that heavenly body, which re- 
" gulates our days and our fasts. His children * 
" point out to us the hours of prayer. You have 
" neither trees nor camels, sheep, goats, nor dogs. 
" Are your women similar to ours ?" " How long 
" didst thou remain in the womb of thy mother ?" 
said another. '* As long," replied Brisson, " as 
" thou in that of thine." " Indeed," said a third, 
counting the fingers and toes of the Frenchman, 
" he is made like us ; he differs only in his colour 
" and language." " Do you sow barley in your 
" houses ?" said the Arabs, alluding to the ships 
of the Europeans. " No," said Brisson, " we 
" sow our fields almost in the same season as you." 
" How !" cried several, " do you inhabit the 
™ earth ? we believed you were born and lived up- 
" on the sea." 
* The stars 
