All their bodies were so dried by the extreme heat of the sun, that putrifaction did not appear to have taken place after death.

In recently dead animals, I could not perceive the slightest offensive smell; and in those long dead, the skin, with the hair on it, remained unbroken and perfect, although so brittle as to break with a slight blow.

The sand-winds never cause these carcases to change their places, as in a short time, a slight mound is formed round them, and they become stationary." Afterwards, passing between low, table-topped hills, called El Gaaf, the coffle encamped on the third evening in a desert, called Sbir ben Afeen, where the plain presented on all sides so perfect a horizon, that an astronomical observation might have been taken as well as at sea.

From the excessive dryness of the air, the blankets and barracans emitted electric sparks, and distinctly crackled on being rubbed.

The horses' tails, also, in beating off the flies, had the same effect.
The fourth day, the route passed over sand lulls to a sandy irregular plain, very difficult and dangerous.