April 24th.—Camels started at 5.45. At ten, a distant mountain north-west, called El Kohol (from its blackness). At twelve, after passing a stony track, came to a wadey Mesheil مشيل. At two P.M. cleared the mountainous part of the Soudah, and descended to a plain, El Maitba Soudah الميتباسوده, from its being covered with small pieces of basalt. At 2.45. came to a spot called El Maitba Baida بيدا, having not the slightest trace of basalt, and being covered with a very small white gravel. We did not see, any where, the least appearance of vegetation; but observed many skeletons of animals, which had died of fatigue on the Desert, and occasionally the grave of some human being. All these bodies were so dried by the extreme heat of the sun, that putrefaction did not appear to have taken place after death. In recently expired 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 carcasses to change their places, as in a short time a slight mound is formed round them, and they become stationary. At 5.50. we passed low table-topped hills east and west of us, called El Gaaf القعف. This desert was named Sbir ben Afeen زبيربن عفين. At seven we encamped. The plain round us presented so perfect a horizon, that an astronomical observation might have been taken as at sea. From the excessive dryness of the air, our blankets and barracans emitted electric sparks, and crackled distinctly on being rubbed. The horses’ tails, also, in beating off the flies, had the same effect. Our whole Kafflé were much fatigued. This day we had advanced south-south-west, thirty-five miles. April 25th.—At four, A.M. the camels set out; 8.15. we passed some sand-hills, called el Ramle Kebeer الرامل كبير, or large sands. At nine we came again on the plain, which was covered with a white encrusted clay; at three, P.M. passed el Ramle Shraya, or small sands, and at 4.45. descended by some precipitous rocks to a sandy, irregular plain, very difficult and dangerous, until we had crossed the sand-hills. At about half a mile to the eastward of the pass, which, as well as the plain, is called Koneir كنير, is a singular rock in a conical form, surmounted by another resembling a turret, called Amaymet Saad اميمت سعد. Hills over the watering place were pointed out to us in the distance, south-south-west. At nine we entered a wadey, called Om el Abeed ام العبيد (the Mother of the Slaves), and at eleven arrived at a well of the same name, situated amongst the mountains, and having a quantity of bushes growing about it.