204 
The route we had taken lay at a short distance from 
the sea, near a range of mountains, which extend in the 
same direction, upon a soil composed entirely of loose 
sand, without any plant or stone. This sand is a detri- 
tus of granite, and red feldspar. I presume that the 
neighbouring mountains are of porphyry. 
We were in the 28th degree of north latitude, and it 
was the middle of May, I therefore never could have 
thought that the cold could be so piercing, if I 
had not felt it. It was so severe that we all trembled, 
and were obliged to put on all our clothes, to defend us 
against the north-west wind. 
Saturday, 16 th May, 
Our caravan, composed of forty camels, sixty men, 
and three women, set out at five o'clock in the morning. 
It is very remarkable that I never travelled with Mus- 
sulmen, either by land or water, without finding women 
among them. It is true, however, that on these occa- 
sions the circumspection required by religion in respect 
to them, is such, that they are looked upon only as 
animated phantoms, or as burdens placed upon a camel, 
or in a corner of a ship. 
There happened to be in this caravan some Turks 
sent away from Mecca and Djedda, the rest were com- 
posed of pilgrims, on foot and on camels. 
The ground upon which we proceeded was of the 
same nature as that we had traversed the preceding day. 
After continuing in the same direction an hour and a 
half, we passed near the port of El Aacrab, where we 
saw the dao which had the Kadi of Medina on board, 
and which had £0t a-head of the others. It was detained 
m mm, 
there eight days by contrary winds and storms. We 
halted at ten o'clock in a hermitage almost in ruins, 
