might eaſily be heated at this height by the rays of the ſun to 15°, as a higher temperature is often experienced at the foot of the Glaciers. I have often known the thermometer to ſtand at 20° above 0 upon mount Libanon, though placed quite cloſe to the ſnow.
The declivity of the mountain facilitated our return, and we deſcended much quicker than we had aſcended. It was already evening before we reached the place where we had paſſed the preceding night. The almoſt total want of ſleep, which we had experienced in conſequence of the intenſe cold, gave us little courage to ſpend another night at the ſame place. We therefore wiſhed to proceed immediately farther, in order to ſeek a better ſhelter upon ſome of the neighbouring mountains; but as our guides would not move a ſtep before the moon roſe, we were compelled to remain there till near midnight, waiting for its appearance. With the aſſiſtance of its feeble light, we deſcended over the pumice-ſtones, following pretty cloſely the track which we had made for ourſelves in our aſcent.
After a march of four hours, the bruſh-wood, which grew very thick, obſtructed our way ſo much, that we were obliged to halt till day-break. We had here abundance of fuel, and made ourſelves amends for the cold of the preceding night,
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