1884. 79 Trans. N. V. Ac, Set. 



proved that the surface of the lake was at least 44.94 vt. below the 

 valley of the Nile. I had previously made soundings in the lake, but 

 the imminence of a dangerous storm [Khamsin) prevented my satis- 

 fying myself that I actually found the deepest place. At all events the 

 bottom of the lake is not less than 150 feet below the Mediterranean. 

 These observations, correcting the error of Linant and Lepsius, were 

 published in the Revue Archeologique (June, 1882). An excellent sec- 

 tion had been published by Dr. Schweinfurth from a survey made by 

 Rousseau Pasha, in 1880 (Zeitschr. O. f. E. Berlin), and Ascherson 

 had also found a point in the Eastern part of the Wadi Reian 188 feet 

 below the Nile, but these observations had not been duly noticed. 

 My observations (1882) were wholly independent in motive and re- 

 sults. On March 22, 1882, having examined all the heights near 

 Cairo, I was satisfied that the pyramids might have been natural 

 hills. 



The imminence of the outbreak under Arabi prevented my obtain- 

 ing the customary facilities, and the government notified me that I 

 must go alone. Still, it seemed to me of so much importance to ob- 

 tain a section on lat. 30° that I started. Fortunately Mr. Petrie, at 

 that time at Gizeh, was willing to accompany me, and the section and 

 map are based upon his entirely trustworthy measurements. These 

 results are not only interesting as showing the varied character of that 

 part of the earth's surface, hitherto a blank or an error ; but it suggests 

 the strategic importance of this region between Moeris and Mem- 

 phis, and gives a reason why the pyramids of Gizeh should have been 

 built or shaped out of hills on the left bank of the Nile. There is no 

 doubt that the ancient account of Lake Moeris is substantially cor- 

 rect, and the restoration of the Southern Basin ought not to be far dis- 

 tant. The strategy of Alexander founded Herat in B. C. 327, as " the 

 gate of India." The Hyk-Sos, who are said to have obtained a peace- 

 ful conquest over the native Egyptians, saw the agricultural, com- 

 mercial, ethnic and strategic importance of the deep lake with two 

 canals encircling its upper plateau so near to the Nile Gate of the 

 Mediterranean, Bab-el-On or Cairo. 



March 31, 1884. 

 Lecture Evening, 



The President, Dr. J. S. Newberry, in the Chair. 



A large audience occupied the East Hall, and a lecture was 

 given, illustrated by a collection of stone implements and lantern 



