DESOLATE REGION. 
131 
This valley is so shallow that it might almost be 
considered as part of the plateau, and is, in fact, 
nearly on a level with it ; the temperature tells us 
we are on very high land. It is cool for this season, 
and the Tuaricks even complain of chilliness at 
night. Sometimes I am disposed to think the hot 
weather is passed, but we must take into account 
the strong breeze blowing from the north-east. 
The broad bed of the valley is covered with 
pebbles of sandstone, between whicli glanced a few, 
^ very few, lizards. Rarely did any living thing cheer 
our eves as we moved along- this dismal track. 
Now and then gazelles, in threes and fours, went 
scouring away far out of reach. One or two small 
birds fluttered from stone to stone ; and some crows 
cawed at us from a distance. This is true Fezzan 
scenery. The mirage and all its illusions cloaked 
the plain in various directions, as if seeking to hide 
its dull uniformity. 
However, this desolate region has really been of 
late visited by rain, as we had been told. We 
encamped towards evening near a great standing- 
pool, which, if the weather remain moderate, will 
supply the caravans for months to come. A shower 
is a vulgar occurrence in Europe, received by most 
men, except agriculturists, as an annoyance. In the 
desert it has all the value of a heaven-sent gift. It 
is shed not periodically ; but at intervals of time 
and place suddenly descends in copious drenchings. 
We often came upon spots whicli had been 
