Here we may
quench our thirst, and rest beneath the shade of the trees.

[Illustration: "THIS PLEASANT SPOT IN THE DESERT IS CALLED AN OASIS."]

An _oasis_ is a fertile spot in a desert. What does _fertile_ mean? When
do we say land is fertile? When barren? When desert?

Find a picture of a palm tree, and try to draw it.

If we were really in a desert, we might see a company of merchants
carrying goods to sell in the countries they visit. Such a company is
called a _caravan_. The goods are packed in bundles, which are carried
on camels' backs. The camel can live for a long time without drinking,
and can carry a heavy load of merchandise a long distance. It is
sometimes called the ship of the desert.

Why do travelers use camels to cross the desert? Why do they not use
horses? If you can not find answers to these questions in your books at
home, ask your teacher about them.

You have seen a small whirlwind in the street. The leaves flew round and
round, the dust whirled along in clouds. Trees are sometimes torn from
the ground, and houses overturned, by a strong wind.

Now think of a wind-storm in the desert. A loud, rustling noise is
heard. Great clouds of fine sand are lifted into the air--clouds which
darken the sun! Travelers must at once jump from their camels, cover
themselves with their cloaks, and lie flat on the ground.

The poor beasts will close their eyes and nostrils, and kneel with their
backs to the wind until the storm has passed over.

Thankful will the travelers be if none of them are buried in the sand.

LESSON XII.

HILLS, MOUNTAINS, VALLEYS.

The land is not always level like a plain. In some places it is high and
uneven. We all know what a _hill_ is. It is land a little higher than
the surrounding country.

Is there a hill near where you live? Let us walk to the _top_, and stand
on its _summit_. We will start from the _foot_ or _base_ of the hill.
Now we have climbed its steep, rough _sides_ or _slopes_. Was the ascent
difficult? Is the view from the top fine?

[Illustration: "WHAT CAN YOU SEE FROM THE TOP OF THE HILL?"]

What can you see from the top of the hill--meadow, river, lake, town?
What grow on the hill? What live on the hill?

Which part of a hill is called the base, or foot? The slope, or sides?
The top, or summit?

Give two names for the lowest part of a hill. Two for the highest part.
Two for the part between the highest and lowest parts.

Parts of the land