correct.

on the rise of the Nile, that must be regarded as confined to a small space, bordering on the sea." It appears from the dates, that Mr. Browne did not travel during the season of the floods of the Nile, and therefore he must have heard this from others; and we suspect that his information has not been In respect of the Delta, it might relate to the neighbourhood of the principal branches of the river, where the ground is the most raised by depositions for we have not only seen the like in other countries, but have heard that inundations do really take place over the lower part of the Delta generally, though in a greater degree on the eastern, than on the western, side.

As to the question of Upper Egypt, it can only be said that authors, in general, either describe an inundation, or leave us to understand that an inundation does take place there; although some of them admit that it is not universal. Some of the passages that occur in Pococke and Norden are very pointed, as may be seen in the notes, and the existence of an inundation appears to admit of no doubt.

Dr. Pococke says, p. 79, "We passed several little lakes of water, made by the overflowings of the Nile." This was near Achmim, in Upper Egypt. In page 197, speaking of Upper Egypt generally, he says, "If the hills are above four or five miles from the Nile, they have villages in the middle, between the hills and the river, which are built on raised ground, where the Nile overflows." What follows, in the same place, is curious in respect of the inundations in Lower Egypt.

In p. 199, he says, "It seemed visible to me, that the land of Egypt is lower at a distance from the Nile, than it is near it;

M. Norden also speaks of a dyke generally in Upper Egypt, and describes it in his plan of a part of the ground of Thebes. And from all the circumstances considered, it appears probable that the present inundation is effected by means of canals that lead from the river towards the hills, and that the use of the grand dyke is to command the period of the inundation, which might prove inconvenient, if left to operate casually. We are told of various canals that are opened at different periods, depending on contingencies. It is, however, a subject concerning which one naturally wishes to receive more information. It may be remarked, that whatsoever might be the state of the case at present, the slope

and I imagined that, in most parts, it appeared to have a gradual descent from the Nile to the hills; that is, to the foot of them, that may be said to begin at those sandy parts, a mile or two distant from them, which are gentle ascents, and for that reason are not overflowed by the Nile." Here, from the circumstance of the hills, Upper Egypt must of course be intended; and it is implied in the strongest manner, that the space between the crest of the banks and the base of the hills is overflowed. At the same time, he says, in p. 198 and 200, that many parts of Egypt are not overflowed.

66

M. Norden, speaking of the country above Cairo, Vol. i. p. 57, says, These canals they carry quite to the mountainsso that when the Nile increases, its water enters into the canals -when the river has swoln to its pitch, and diffused its waters on the surface of the ground, they then think of retaining them for some time, in order that the earth may be sufficiently soaked. For this purpose they make banks, which hinder the water from flowing off, &c. At length, when the earth is sufficiently moistened, they cut the bank to facilitate the removing off of the waters."

described by Dr. Pococke, from the margin of the river bank, to the foot of the hills, plainly proves that inundations have regularly taken place in former times. This is the slope spoken of in pages 114, and 135; and which is found in the course of every river that runs through an alluvial tract.

SECTION XIX.

CONCERNING THE NUMBER, ORDER, AND POSITION OF THE BRANCHES OF THE NILE, ANCIENT AND MODERN WITH VARIOUS PARTICULARS RESPECTING THEM.

Description of the Branches and Mouths of the Nile, by Herodotus -Doubts respecting some of the inferior Branches-Seven navigable Mouths allowed generally by the Ancients-Dimensions of the Delta well known to them-Watch Tower of Perseus-Number, Order, and Position of the Branches and Mouths of the Nile-CANOPIC, the most western-much ancient History belonging to it, and the city of Canopus-the latter no less celebrated as the modern Abukeir, the scene of the glorious Battle of the NILE-Sites of the ancient cities of Metelis, Naucratis, and Hermopolis, ascertained-Error of modern Geographers respecting the Lake Mareotis-Naucratis, the ancient emporium of Egypt-Greek Establishments in Egypt -Change of Course of the western Branch of the Nile-BOLBITINE, or second of the ancient Branches, become the firstSEBENNITIC, or third Branch; now the Outlet of the Lake Brulos-PHATMETIC, or fourth Branch; now the Damietta, or eastern branch-MENDESIAN and TANITIC, anciently the fifth and sixth Branches; now only Outlets to the Lake Menzala-PELUSIAC, the seventh and last: now a periodical Stream only-its ancient Course traced-Temple and City of OniasSituations of ancient Jewish Establishments in Egypt knownthat of Onias fixed-Lake of Menzala, anciently Tanis-Remarks on the Lakes and Hollows, formed in the Alluvions of Rivers.

IT has been said that our Author describes three natural branches of the Nile, as existing in his time, and which separated at Cercasora, situated at six or seven miles above the present head of the Delta. At this point, says he, Euterpe, 17, "it separates itself into three branches; that which directs itself towards the east, is called the Pelusian mouth; the Canopic inclines to the west: the third, in one continued line, meets the point of the Delta, which dividing into two parts, it finally pours itself into the sea. This arm is equally celebrated, and not inferior in the depth of its waters; it is called the Sebennitic mouth, and this again divides itself into two branches; one is called the Saitic, and one the Mendesian channel; both empty themselves into the sea. There are two other mouths, the Bolbitinian and the Bucolic; these are not produced by nature, but by art." He also speaks (in Euterpe, 10.) of "the five arms of the Nile;" but it is certain that he has enumerated no less than six; and later authors, seven1.

As we learn from Strabo, page 802, that the Tanitic mouth had also the name of Saitic given it, no difficulty arises concerning the identity and positions of the several branches above described, the

1

Pliny, lib. v. c. 10, speaks of eleven mouths of the Nile, besides four others which he calls false ones: but he allows seven principal ones only; agreeing thus far with Strabo.

The reader is referred to the Map. No. VII, page 55, for what relates to the Delta of the Nile; and for the general course of this river through Egypt, as well as the countries bordering on Egypt, to No. IX.