LIBYAN DESERT 
437 
On my way back from Gebel Dixon three Gazelles galloped across 
the track—a beautiful sight; they appeared to me darker in colour 
than the animals that I had seen on the Libyan Desert, and my drago¬ 
man, Hajji All Gabri, himself a child of the desert, or at least a 
Badawin, assured me that they were not the common Gazelle, and 
that it was a very unusual circumstance to see them so near to 
Cairo. 1 
At the foot of Gebel Dixon, at least ten miles from any water, I 
saw a big Dragon-fly (Anax sp.); I have often seen dragon-flies far 
from water, but never so far as on this occasion. 
Near Gebel Dixon, and in other places on the desert, some search 
was made for the probable food-plant of Helix desertorum, Forst., the 
common Snail of those parts. It has been stated that these Molluscs, 
unlike their congeners, live upon a species of Alga that grows in dew- 
drops. All I can say is that I never found a living animal sealed up 
(as they all were) but what a careful search would reveal some traces 
of larger vegetation, such as dead stalks, within a very few yards. It 
is well known that these animals can live for several years without 
food, and I expect that it is quite common for them to remain thus 
sealed up for months, or even a year or more, until such time as rain 
restores the desert flora to its fitful life. 
Absolutely devoid of ornament, the simple majesty of the Granite 
Temple, or Temple of the Sphinx, inspires a feeling akin to awe. 
1 Mr. Pocock informs me that in all probability these animals were Dorcas 
Gazelles (Gazella dorcas), a species of which many local races have been described. 
