The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume IX, No. 4 [‎233v] (137/172)

454
CORRESPONDENCE.
cattle, sheep, and horse-, from which Australia as a whole has derived much
benefit. One of his most important services to Australian exploration was the
encouragement which he gave to the introduction of camels into that continent.
Although these animals had already been used on exploring expeditions (e.g. that of
Burke and Wills in 1846), the experiment had met with small success, until in
1861-66 Sir Thomas Elder imported a fresh supply, and a few years later proved
their value to explorers during the expedition under Colonel 1\ arburton, of which
he was one of the promoters. The important journeys of Ernest Giles were also
supported by Sir Thomas, and camels were again used with success. Finally, the
great “Elder Exploring Expedition” was fitted out by him in 1891, with a view
to removing from the maps the last blank space of any importance on the Aus
tralian continent, and although untoward events prevented the expedition from
attaining the full measure of success which had been anticipated, it did good work
in throwing new light on portions of the interior of West Australia. Sir Thomas
Elder joined our Sjciety in 1878. In the same year he received the honour of
knighthood, and he became G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). in 1887.
CORRESPONDENCE.
On the Formation of Sand-dunes.
In the current month’s number of the Geographical Journal, I observe that, during
the discussion of an elaborate and instructive paper under the above heading,
allusion is made to a “ curious sound made by certain sandhills ” in the desert
north of the Helmund.
On referring to my diary of March 21, 1872, I find that my fellow employes
in the Perso-Afghan Mission and I, returning from Sistan westwards, passed, on our
march of that date, a hill called Eig-i-Raxvdn, or the “ moving sand,” where our
Afghan friends performed Ziydrat, or rites of pilgrimage. Should you think the
circumstance of the sounds there heard worth recalling, in connection with the
recently read paper, it might be well to reprint Major Evan Smith’s description given
at pp. 327, 328 of ‘Eastern Persia,’ vol. i. (Macmillan: 1876).
“ From Kala’h-i-K .h to the Harut-Rud there is a distance of 16 miles in a due
westerly direction, and at the fifth mile the famous Ziarat of Imam Zafd is passed
on the right of the road. This Ziarat, which is called the Rig-i-rawao, or moving
sand, is most remarkable and singular. At the extreme west of the range of hills
which has been described as lying in a straight line due north of the Kala’h-i-Kah
district, is a hill some 600 feet high and half a mile long. The southern face of
this hill, to the very summit, is covered with a drift of fine and very deep sand,
which has evidently been there for ages, as testified by the number of large plants
growing on its surface. None of the adjacent hills have any traces whatever of
sand-drift, and the surface of the surrounding desert is hard and pebbly. The
westernmost portion of this elevated ground contains the Ziarat, and the natives
say, and with reason and truth, that at times the hill gives out a strange startling
noise, which they compare to the rolling of drums. Captain Lovett, who was
fortunate enough to hear it, describes its effect upon him as like the wailing of an
ajolian harp, or the sound occasioned by the vibration of several telegraph wires
very fine at first, hut increasing every moment in volume and intensity, and the
secret strain is said sometimes to last as long as an hour at a time. The face of