THE GEOLOGY OF SINAI. 
21 
In the winter months the higher ranges of mountains are 
covered with snow, and I have even seen, at the foot of Jebel 
Musa, a basin of water frozen over after six o’clock in 
the morning, at the very end of March. The traveller often 
suffers more from the cold of the nights than he does from 
the heat of the days. During December and January a large 
fall of rain generally takes place, and, owing to the naked- 
ness of the mountains and the steepness of the wadies, the 
torrents acquire enormous power, as is testified by the size of 
the boulders which are seen in their courses. The perennial 
streams and springs are too few and feeble to effect much change. 
The organic agencies are hardly worthy of mention, with the 
exception of the coral, which must tend much to alter the nature 
of the coast-line ; yet the scanty supply of vegetation which 
clothes the wadies and plains aids in collecting and binding 
together the drifting sand and alluvial deposits. 
The question of the raised beaches, especially at the head of 
the Grulf of Suez, is one of great interest. I am inclined to 
believe that the shore has not risen to any great extent since 
the time of the Exodus, and that the flooding of the Bitter 
Lakes in the Isthmus of Suez has been effected at different 
periods by the cutting of artificial canals. The explorations of 
the French engineers engaged in making the Suez Canal will 
perhaps aid in solving this problem. If, however, it be proved 
that a considerable elevation of the coast has taken place since 
the Exodus, unless we can prove that a subsequent degradation 
of the shore-plains has also occurred, we shall have to alter our 
opinions regarding the route taken by the Israelites on their 
march to Sinai ; since large portions of these plains are now but 
a few feet only above the level of the sea, and would therefore 
before their elevation have been submerged. I feel confident, 
however, that future explorations in the Peninsula of Sinai 
will tend not to weaken but to strengthen our belief in the 
sacred narrative. And I trust that, before long, a more careful 
survey of the country may be made, which no doubt will place 
in our hands fresh proofs of the truth of that history, and will 
make us better acquainted with the features of a country which 
stands almost without a rival in its interest for mankind. 
