Volume II Part 23 (1/2)

3p.m. 26.26 66 -2 In big tent on Hisma plateau (short descent to camping-ground). Air clear; sun hot.

Very cold when sun sets. Gusts from east at night.

ON HIMSa PLATEAU.

Feb. 25. 6.30a.m. 26.30 42 3 In big tent.

12.30p.m.27.84 74 12 At foot of Khuraytat el-Jils. Still, no wind; no clouds.

3.30p.m. 27.83 78 17 No wind; no clouds.

Night splendidly clear and still. Felt warm.

Feb. 26. 6a.m. 27.72 64 2 In big tent on Hisma plateau. Glorious orange-coloured dawn. Mild north wind.

Moon in last quarter. At eight a.m. good breeze from north; at eleven a.m. cool and pleasant breeze from east.

Noon. 28.00 70 -8 On march in Shafah Mountains. Hot sun.

Cold wind.

3p.m. 28.30 85 -4 Camp Majra el-Ruways. In small tent.

Strong west breeze in gusts.

Night glorious at foot of the two Pa.s.ses.

Feb. 27. 6a.m. 28.10 65 -4 On ground outside tent at Majra el-Ruways.

Sky overhead quite clear; a few flecks to south, low clouds to east. At 8.30 a.m.

wind south. Sun at first hot; then sky cloudy.

11.45a.m.28.48 80 3 At El-Rahabah, head of Wady Damah, under tree. Fine sea-breeze. High white strata to north-east and south. No clouds elsewhere.

5p.m. 28.56 76 -5 Under thorn-tree at Wady Damah. Fleeting cirro-c.u.muli.

Night very cold. Not a sign of dew till we returned on board Mukhbir.

Feb. 28. 6a.m. 28.50 44 -5 At Wady Damah, on box in open. Clouds and sea-breeze at 8.45 a.m.

1p.m. 28.29 70 19 Under tree at Shuwak ruin. Thermometer in sun, 82 degrees. Bits of c.u.muli from south. At two p.m. furious wind and dust (sand-devils) scouring up valley from south, also deflected to west by Pa.s.s gorge. ”Sand-devils” in Wadys Surr, Sadr, Damah, Shuwak, and Salma.

3p.m. 28.19 71 16 In big tent.

A few gusts during early part of night; the rest very still. Cold and clear.

AT SHUWaK RUIN.

Mar. 1. 6.45a.m. 25.30 46 10 Very cold; hands chilled. Land-breeze at eight a.m. At barrage (dam), aneroid 28.36.

Noon. 28.37 76 17 In small tent. Noon hot. Wind gusty--not regular and strong as yesterday.

3p.m. 28.34 77 6 In small tent. Sky clear; air still and sultry.

Mar. 2. 6a.m. 28.30 58 11 In big tent at Shuwak. Air still. Clouds to east. Afterwards sky mottled, windy striae. At seven a.m. rainbow without rain; thin cloud north of sun; perpendicular streak, brilliant enough: lasted twenty minutes.