Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-04-24
SAHARA'S SANDS.
Summer Days in the Terrible aste
During the Great Heat.
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Summer Days in the Terrible aste
During the Great Heat.
May is the beginning Of the dead
season, when all traffic is stopped
through the desert of Sahara and
very little labor can be done. The
deadly heatwhich prevails during the
40 canicular days causes travellers
and traders to shun the oases for fear
Of the epidemic fever about the end
of September, when the Nomads re.
enter the Sahara, with abundance OF
cattle and grain, and the Mozabites
renew their bartering traffic between
the roses and the North. The sam
NAH, of 40 canicular days, is q deadly
period to traverse. What despond-
ent situation when the Thermometer
fluctuates for five hours between ll5
and 125 degrees of Fahrenheit in the
shade. The fiery breaths of the pes.
tilential simeon and of the internal
shihile (southsrn winds) sweeping the
face like blast of o furnace pro-
duce sensations of burning. These
winds, like the equinoctical sirocco,
being destitute of all moisture, per-
wade the atmosphere with intense
dryness, torturing the throat and
lungs of the painting and dispirited
traveller. His parched lips stitfen
and almost lose the sensibility OF
contact, the blood within the mu-
cous membranes evaporating under
the blighted-effect of the hot air.
Gasping for breath he remains in O.
state OF sprostration until the terrible
god OF day has mplished hisdaily
course. The blaze Of the noontide
sun is literally torture, especially
for the white races; during it no
human being is to be seen out OF
doors, the eyes would not stand the
reflection of the sun or the licking
heat of the air; the cities are buried
in the silence of cemetery; people
seek the comfort of sleep, but often
oil in vain.
The natives who feel most affected
by this extraordinary heat dig
gravelike hole in their novels or gar
dens as refreshing couch. This kind
OF living grave is waterad every
morning to preserve its freshness and
then covered with q close fitting mat
of fresh palm leaves. Toward IL
o'clock it's temporary occupant sinks
into it, entirely naked, and shuts
himself up from the outside world to
pass the hottest hours in the indo-
lence of O perfect quiet, reclining in
that tomb as we do in our ham
mocks.
Beside the heat the flies and ants
are more than one can bear during
the day, while during the night one
is tormented to rage by thousands Of
mosquitoes or sleeps with the night
mare from fear of the scorpions. The
flies swarm in the daytime and the
fan is constantly needed to drive
them away. When writing l had
to cover my hands with gauze. when
eating they enter the ears, mouth
and nose; one eats, drinks ana
breathes them; all food left un-
covered is spoiled by them. The sting
of the scorpion is especially danger.
GUS and often fatal during the canic-
ular days. These pedipalpi are found
in swarms among the ruins and in
the houses, which fact requires an
everyday search by the inmate be-
fore going to sleep. This insect
grows there to an extraordinary size
and is sometimes seen three inches
long. A long, glowing day, warm
morning, are the general atmosphere
cal feature in the summer, and the
tantalizing mirage can be seen daily
during that season.