8 SOIL AND CLIMATE.

ful storm now rages : flash upon flash, and peal suc-

ceeding peal, the lightning illumines the whole

heavens, and the thunder rolls most fearfully, as if

the sky were about to open and the earth to burst

;

streams of water pour down with violence, which

the soil is incapable of imbibing, and torrents are

thus formed, destined, however, soon to be lost in

the sands. Showers of this description generally

last over one quarter of an hour, seldom for a longer

period, and very rarely, indeed, are they repeated

on the same day. They remit frequently during

two, three, or even six days, and this is the most

unhealthy, and even dangerous time both for stran-

gers and natives ; but it is admitted by general

consent, that those of white colour suffer more than

the blacks.

As if by magic, Nature now awakes from her

sleep of death ; for, immediately after the first

shower, the earth is clad with verdure, the trees

shoot forth fresh buds, and a vesture of flowers is

spread over the whole country.

Certain districts of Kordofan, whose position

is not elevated, may, indeed, be compared with

Paradise. Everything there appears in most per-

fect luxuriance. All the trees and bushes are

covered with flowers and fruit, so that the leaves

are scarcely discernible. The grass attains a height

sufficient to cover a rider and his horse. Creeping

plants wind themselves up to the summit of the

highest trees ; in short, the force and vigour of