To conclude: the task which I here pursue is the same which I recently commenced by the publication of my "Mysteries of the Ocean;"[1] to invite and prepare the general reader and the young for the study of the physical and natural sciences, by bringing before them the most interesting results of the discoveries and the observations with which these sciences have been enriched. Only, this new essay is entirely descriptive, and has no didactic pretensions. I have contented myself with sketching the physiognomy of the great regions not yet conquered by civilization, with indicating the more remarkable features they present, the peoples by whom they are inhabited, and the important plants and animals they nourish. THE AUTHOR. [The TRANSLATOR has only to add, that he has made copious additions to the original work, with the view of rendering its scope more comprehensive and complete, and of adapting it specially to the requirements of the English reader. He has also corrected and confirmed M. Mangin's statements by reference to the best and most recent authorities, without, he would hope, any injury to the original scheme, or any detriment to the value of M. Mangin's agreeable and highly interesting chapters.] A. Contents. BOOK I. THE DESERTS OF EUROPE AND ASIA:--THE LANDES, THE DUNES, AND THE STEPPES. CHAPTER PAGE I. THE DESERT IN FRANCE:--THE LANDES OF BRITTANY, 13 II. THE LANDES OF GASCONY, 24 III. THE DUNES, OR SAND-HILLS, 32 IV. WILD SCENES OF ENGLAND:--DARTMOOR AND THE FEN COUNTRY, 39 V. THE STEPPES:--THE DESERT IN RUSSIA, SIBERIA, AND TARTARY, 46 VI. ANIMAL LIFE IN THE STEPPES:--THE WILD HORSE AND THE CAMEL, 51 VII. ANIMAL LIFE IN THE STEPPES:--WILD RUMINATING ANIMALS, RODENTS, CARNIVORA, BIRDS, 64 VIII. INHABITANTS OF THE STEPPES:--TARTARS, COSSACKS, KALMUCKS, KIRGHIZ, MONGOLS, 78 BOOK II. THE DESERTS OF SAND:--THE DESERTS OF EUROPE AND AFRICA. I. THE RAINLESS DESERT--THE BED OF A SEA--THE DEAD SEA, 95 II. ARABIA DESERTA AND ARABIA PETRÆA, 106 III. THE NUBIAN DESERT--THE GREAT SAHARA--DESERTS OF AFRICA, 118 IV. PHENOMENA OF THE DESERT, 134 V. VEGETABLE LIFE IN THE DESERT--THE OASES, 148 VI. ANIMAL LIFE IN THE DESERT, 162 VII. THE MEN OF THE DESERT, 174 BOOK III. PRAIRIES, SAVANNAHS, PAMPAS, AND LLANOS. I. WILD PLAINS OF THE OLD WORLD:--THE AFRICAN INTERIOR, 186 II. DESERTS OF THE NEW WORLD:--PRAIRIES, PAMPAS, LLANOS, 207 III. THE AUSTRALIAN INTERIOR, 231