w
water, and all about were their big water jars. Just beyond that my
walk took me through a native cemetery, all the tombs exactly alike, a
big base about five feet long and nearly three high, and a five foot
column on each end. These were the more recent ones, the old graves
were merely rough hillocks of stones and clay, as the modern ones will
be some day.

I was much astonished to-day at the large number of botanical
specimens I came across. For such a sterile part it is most
remarkable. I should say 200 species could be picked up in a
forenoon's walk.

On returning we all had a talk with a very intelligent Arab boy of
about twelve summers, and got a number of words and a few phrases
from him. All the native children are very pretty, they have good
features, splendid eyes and teeth, and look as sharp as needles. If
you dare speak to one it at once gives him an opening to demand
backsheesh. I omitted to mention that the only Moslem minaret I have
seen so far was in Dakeilah. These may be plentiful in Alexandria, but
I have never been there in daylight.

The following are some of the words taught us by the young Arab, but I
found it impossible to find a satisfactory spelling for most of
them:--

Gatusheira Thank you.
Daphtar A book.
Chaima A tent.
Muphta A key.
Sigara A cigar.
Salama lecho Good morning.
Dasoyak Good-bye.
Homar A donkey.
Asioa Yes.
La No.

The following Arabic words and phrases are from a piece of paper I
picked up in Cox's Bank, Alexandria:--

1. Wahed. 6. Setta. 11. Hidashar.
2. Etneen. 7. Saba'a. 12. Etnashar.
3. Talata. 8. Tamanya. 13. Talatashar.
4. Arba'a. 9. Tessa. 20. Ashrin.
5. Khamsa. 10. Ashara. 100. Miya.

Naharak said Good morning.
Sa'a kam What time.
Sa'a waked One o'clock.
Maragsh Arabi I don't speak Arabic.
Kam tamanu What does it cost?

_April 5th._--This has been a day of exceptional heat, and curiously
is the religious day of the Moslems called Shem-el-nessim, which in
Arabic means "breathing the cool breeze". To-day all their shops are
shut, and the whole day is spent in the country. What is celebrated is
the first of the hot simoon winds which last fifty days, and
apparently the day for their commencement is most