lection of the sun's rays on this
incrustation gave it the appearance of water; and, on seeing it, the
cattle, horses, and dogs rushed forward, anticipating a grand pleasure
in quenching their thirst. On discovering what it was, the animals gave
out their various expressions of disappointment. The horses neighed,
the oxen bellowed, and the dogs barked and howled. A constant _mirage_
floated over the plain, magnifying and distorting the appearance of
everything within view. Where the saline incrustations did not cover
the ground, there grew a short, sour herbage, browsed upon by
_blesboks_, _wilde beests_, and several other species of antelopes.
These animals, as well as some stunted trees, at times appeared
suspended in the air, and magnified far beyond natural size. High up in
the air could be seen the reflection of animals that were many miles
distant from the place they appeared to be occupying. These optical
illusions were the cause of much annoyance to the thirsty travellers,--
especially to their animals, unable to understand them. Excited with
the hope of quenching their thirst, they were with much difficulty
prevented from rushing about in pursuit of the phantom that was so
terribly tantalising them.

The cattle had been a long time without salt, and had a strong desire to
lick up the saline incrustation, that in some places covered the earth
to an eighth of an inch in thickness. This increased their thirst, and
caused them to hasten forward to the next deceptive show that spread
itself before them. In place of meeting water, they only found that
which strengthened the desire for it. Our travellers seemed to have
reached a land where phantoms and realities were strangely commingled.

They saw spectral illusions of broad lakes, with trees mirrored upon
their placid surface. A sun of dazzling brightness seemed shining from
the bottom of an unfathomed sea, and a forest appeared suspended in the
air!

But along with these fair fancies there were many unpleasant realities.
For the first two or three hours after entering amid such scenes, they
could not help feeling interested. In time, however, the interest died
away as their vision became accustomed to the strange appearances. One
yet awaited them, stranger and more extraordinary than any yet
witnessed.

About three hours after the sun had passed the meridian, they arrived at
a place that resembled a small island in the midst of an ocean. Water
wa