Page:Mount Seir, Sinai and Western Palestine.djvu/108

80 his gazelle no more! Laurence also had a close view of a magnificent eagle which he estimated must have been 8 feet from tip to tip of wing. But although it kept soaring above him for some time, it was ever out of gunshot. The bird was probably attracted by a lamb which was following our camp.

I may here give a general sketch of the geological character of the Wâdy el Arabah throughout its length, which will enable the reader the better to understand the sequel, and prevent unnecessary repetition.

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I have already spoken of the general contrast between the two sides. The eastern side is the grander and more striking of the two, except close to the Gulf of Akabah, where both sides are formed of granite and porphyry, rising into bold and rugged ridges. On the western side these rocks soon pass below beds of sandstone, followed by others of limestone, which break off in steep escarpments with grand headlands and bastions.