Shape a solid mound of hard-pressed sand, and then, from the height of a foot or two, let water trickle down upon it; the perpendicular ridges and furrows thus formed upon the miniature hill represent exactly what I saw here on a larger scale.
Moreover, all the face of the ground is minutely cracked and wrinkled; a square foot includes an incalculable multitude of such meshes.
Evidently this is the work of hot sun on moisture; but when was it done?
For they tell me that it rains very little at Cotrone, and only a deluge could moisten this iron soil.

Here and there I came upon yet more striking evidence of waterpower; great holes on the hillside, generally funnel-shaped, and often deep enough to be dangerous to the careless walker.

The hills are round-topped, and parted one from another by gully or ravine, shaped, one cannot but think, by furious torrents.

A desolate landscape, and scarcely bettered when one turned to look over the level which spreads north of the town; one discovers patches of foliage, indeed, the dark perennial verdure of the south; but no kindly herb clothes the soil.

In springtime, it seems, there is a growth of grass, very brief, but luxuriant.