GHAP. IX. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE DESERT. 
347 
somewhat resembling a spider, called Naga t' Allah ^UbU^i, or the 
" She camel of God." Beetles are also seen where Kaffles rest, 
or in the vicinity of shrubs ; and their curious tracks in the sand 
are so marked, that I have sometimxcs traced the same insect for a 
mile or two as I rode along. 
Nothing can be more awful than the stillness which prevails, 
more particularly when the surface is sandy. I have sometimes 
walked at night from the Kaffle, so as to be beyond the noise made 
by the camels or horses, and have experienced a sensation I am 
unable to describe, as I felt the wind blow past me, and heard the 
sound which my figure caused it to make, by arresting its progress. 
Near towns, or in places where animals can exist, the slow me- 
lancholy cry of the hysena or jackal is frequently heard during the 
night, when these animals prowl round the Kaffle. 
The appearance of water on the sandy and gravelly deserts is 
very frequent, and is generally so well defined, that it would be 
difficult to distinguish it from a river, were it possible that both 
could be seen at the same time. It is called Shrab cj^i by the 
Arabs, who often amused themselves by calling to us that water was 
in sight, until we became accustomed to the appearance. Of this 
curious phenomenon so much has been said by various writers, that 
any attempt at description on my part would be unnecessary. The 
looming of objects when the sun is at its greatest strength, is very 
striking; as from the vapour which rises, they are, at a slight 
distance, much obscured. I have frequently, in riding along, been 
delighted at observing in the distance, a tree which appeared suf- 
ficiently large to shade me from the sun, and to allow of my reposing 
under it, until the camels came up ; and have often quickened my 
pace in consequence, until, on a near approach, it has proved to be 
nothing more than a bush, which did not throw a shade sufficient 
even to shelter one of my hands. Sand hills deceive still more, 
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