294 CLABKeV TRATES^c 
scorching rays, seem to rejoice in the greatest heat wherein ft 
Is possible to exist. This is also the case in Egypt, where no 
desert is so solitary but reptiles and insects may be observed; 
proving that the ostrich, and other birds found there, are by 
no means, as some writers have maintained, at a loss for food 
it is more probable that the desert offers to them nourishment 
they could not easily procure elsewhere. Avery interesting 
volume of natural history might be made, relating only to the 
Inhabitants of the desert: they are much more numerous than 
Is commonly believed : and if to these were added the plants 
which thrive only in such a situation, with an account of 
those extraordinary petrifactions found in the African deserts; 
the various jaspers, and other siliceous concretions abounding 
in tire sandy tract betwen the Red Sea and the Nile, as well 
as all over Arabia Petnea and Mauritania ; the description 
would be truly marvellous. The enterprise of another Has- 
selquist is not required for this purpose; because, although 
much remains to be discovered, naturalists are already pos¬ 
sessed of sufficient materials for the undertaking. 
After three hours walking our horses, we arrived at a poor 
village, called Luhi<* situated upon the brow of a range of 
Mils, which bound the valley before mentioned, toward the 
south. During our ride, we had suffered apprehensions from 
the tribes of Arabs under arms, who were occasionly seen 
descending and scouring the opposite hills, as we crossed the 
valley. We could plainly discern them, by means of our 
glasses, reconnoitering us from the summits of those hills. 
They were described at Lubi as collected in great force upon 
Mount Thabor; so that our visit to that mountain became 
impracticable : the guard whom Djezzar had sent with us 
would not venture thither. We v/^re therefore compelled to 
rest satisfied with the view we had of it from Lubi. Djezzar’s 
troops had, on the preceding day (Sunday), taken many thou¬ 
sand cattle from the Arabs: therefore, beside their natural 
predatory disposition, they were at this time actuated by mo- 
f ives of the most direful revenge, not only for the loss of their 
property, but also of many of their friends and relations, who 
had been captured. The mere sight of an escort from their 
bitter enemy, Djezzar Pacha would have induced them to 
put every one of us to death. We had lost somewhat of our 
strength by deserters from the pilgrims of our caravan, who 
% Fi’OnouBced loahy. 
