very fine sand, that forms on the ground waves like those of the sea, some of which in large deserts, like those of the Sahara in Africa, are twenty or thirty feet high; and I have even seen them as high in the sandy plains to the north of Astrakhan-here on the shores of the river Wolga. Now, when the strong and rapid Camseen sweeps over such a desert, it carries away the sands on the surface of these hills through the air, until at last they fall and form other hills; so that in the course of a few hours, such a hill as I mentioned will be swept quite away and another formed with its sand. While the hot sand from thousands of these hills is driven through the air, the sun is obscured, or is seen only as a deep-red fiery ball; and while the surface is continually shifting, it is difficult to keep in the right road; and the most enduring persons are soon wearied out by the fierce pelting of the sandy storm; they think it better to die than to live; they lie down in despair; they are soon covered by the drifted sand, which the next storm blows away and exhibits their whitened bones.

F. Does this often happen, Sir?

U. O. I think not. People will, if possible, avoid going through the desert where such things

are likely to happen; and those who do go have often sufficient fortitude to keep moving till the storm has subsided, whether they think themselves in the right road or not; for they know that it is certain death to lie down. Some travellers say that caravans are suddenly overwhelmed by the sands. I doubt this; for it seemed always to me, that the sand was removed too slowly to cover any but those who stood still. It is at such times that men fully feel the value of such an animal as the camel. His long neck, raised straight up, keeps his head high above the ground and the thickest part of the floating sand. His eyes are well defended by thick eyelids, largely provided with hair, and which, on such occasions, he keeps half shut. The broad and cushion-like form of his feet prevents him from sinking deep into the sand; while his long legs enable him to pass the same distance with only half the number of steps made by most other animals, and therefore with only half the fatigue. These advantages give the camel a firm and easy gait on ground where all other animals walk with slow, short, and uncertain steps, and in a tottering manner. Thus the camel, which seems specially framed for such

circumstances, compels us to admire the wisdom and bounty of Providence, which has equally given this animal to the shifting sands of the burning south, and the rein-deer to the firm ice of the frozen north. This is the Camseen. The Whirlwind is but

J. Don't you wish you were going to bed,

uncle ?

U. O. No: but if you do, go. On future evenings we shall perhaps come to something that will amuse you better. Always remember, that I am not giving you a lesson, but am endeavouring to please you; and that you may go away when you please, or even stay away altogether. Ring for Mary, Frank.

[The bell having been rung, Mary entered,

and after Jane had kissed her uncle and brothers, she went away with the servant.]

U. O. Really, Jane has given us a good hint, for I see that it is getting rather late; but we shall soon have done now. The Whirlwinds, also, are seen in their grandest form in the sandy deserts, and occur at all times of the year, but particularly at the season of the camseen. Often, while they prevail, and at some other times, a quantity