213 
At half past two we had discovered the sea, and the 
coast of Africa at a short distance. 
The Wadi Corondel is a dry torrent, which has a 
spring of tolerably good water. There were several fir 
bushes, and some palms to be seen; but we were en- 
camped without the torrent, because the Arabs pre- 
tend that there are many venomous reptiles to be met 
with, which, however, they could not describe, and 
which I could not discover, notwithstanding my re- 
searches in the wood as well as cavities and corners of 
the rocks where I expected to find them. I found only 
a great number of large ants, and another species of 
small insect, the name of which I do npt recollect, but 
it is perfectly harmless. 
I had found upon the way a small lizard about eight 
inches long, perfectly white, with the head and neck of 
a very fine rose colour. Its body was not cylindrical, 
but swelled as if it were with young. This animal, a 
crow, two small birds, some ants and flies, were the 
only living creatures I perceived in this arid desert. 
I observed on this day from the top of a mountain a 
lunar eclipse, which had already began at the rising of 
the moon, nine minutes after the setting of the sun; I 
took five contacts or emersions by satisfactory observa- 
tions, for the earth's shadow was perfectly determined; 
the atmosphere was transparent and serene, and I had 
the time of my watch well adjusted. The latitude was 
29° 25' N. 
We resumed our journey at nine o'clock in the even* 
ing, directing our course to the N. N. W. between 
small mountains, and halted to take repose for the night, 
which was very cold. 
