At noon I took a thermometer graded to 127 deg., out of my box, and observed that the mercury was up to 125.

Thinking that it had been unduly influenced, I put it in the fork of a tree close to me, sheltered alike from the wind and the sun.

I went to examine it about an hour afterwards, when I found the mercury had risen to the-top of the instrument and had burst the bulb, a circumstance that I believe no traveler has ever before had to record.

I cannot find language to convey to the reader's mind an idea of the intense and oppressive nature of the heat that prevailed." That hot wind sweeps over Sydney sometimes, and brings with it what is called a "dust-storm." It is said that most Australian towns are acquainted with the dust-storm.

I think I know what it is like, for the following description by Mr.Gape tallies very well with the alkali duststorm of Nevada, if you leave out the "shovel" part.