GEOLOGY. 287 



for the purpose of verifying the exact orientation of these vast fune- 

 real piles. The measurements made by him have given 231 metres for 

 the length of the sides of the square base of the Great Pyramid, and 

 146.5 metres for its height; whence it follows that the angle its faces 

 make with the horizon is 51 45'. Comparing this with the known 

 inclinations of six other pyramids at Memphis, the constancy of this 

 * angle, which is always confined between 51 and 53, and on the 

 average 52 30', is very remarkable. This invariable inclination, 

 combined with the exact orientation of the pyramids, has led to the 

 idea that there was some hidden connection between their form and 

 some celestial phenomenon, and consequently with the divinity who 

 presides there according to the Egyptian mythology. Now, it is 

 found that the star Sirius, when it passes the meridian of Gezah, falls 

 directly upon the southern face of the pyramids, and in calculating 

 the change of position of this star, during a succession of ages, the 

 result has been found that, 3,300 years B c., its rays, when they culmi- 

 nated, fell exactly perpendicularly to the southern face of the pyra- 

 mids inclined 52 5' to the northern horizon. But, according to the 

 principles of astrology, the power of a star has its maximum effect 

 when its rays fall perpendicularly upon the object which it is deemed 

 to influence. Thus, supposing that the pyramids have been constructed 

 5,000 years, it appears evident that their faces received the inclination 

 of 52 for the purpose of being struck normally by the rays of the 

 most beautiful star in our heavens, and which was consecrated to the 

 god Sothis, the " dog-star " and judge of the dead. This opinion 

 is confirmed in an unexpected way. The pyramids, being tombs or fune- 

 real monuments, ought to be found under the patronage of the divinity 

 whose chief connection is with the dead, that is, with Sothis ; and, 

 moreover, the hieroglyphical symbol of Sothis is a pyramid at the 

 side of a star and a crescent. On the other hand, Sirius was, according 

 to the Egyptians, the soul of Sothis. The date of the foundation of 

 the pyramids, as resulting from these investigations, accords with the 

 computation of Bunsen, according to which King Cheops reigned in 

 the thirty -fourth century before our era. 



