1078 Appendix II: Phytogeography and Geology. 
Il. Nile-Delta-Region. 
a) N. d. 
We now come to the Delta of the Nile, the last stage of the 
river Nile where its bed is eroded down to and even below the 
base level the sea, and where under conditions, deposition is at its 
maximum?) It may be conveniently considered to begin below 
Cairo, and although to-day the first bifurcation takes places at the 
Delta-Barrage, 26 kilometres down-stream, it is certain, that in earlier 
times an important branch took off about 7 kilometres below Cairo which 
supplied the ancient Pelusiac and Tanitic arms. In modern times so 
much has been done in the canalization of the Delta that it is difficult 
to distinguish with certainity between river arms and artifical canals, 
especially as an existing water-way include lengths of both in its course. 
The Nile-Delta measures about 250 kilometres from Mex, to 
the west of Alexandria, to the shore of lake Menzale a little to the 
east of Port Said, and about 175 kilometres from Cairo on the 
south to Brullus light-house on the north covering an area of about 
23,900 square kilometres, including the lakes of Mariut, Edku, Brullus 
and Menzale, the small lake of Abukir having been now entirely 
reclaimed. The approximate areas of the lakes are: - 
Take: Marituieend: MARS A See a oe 
ake RT ee gehts ch Se Ea iy ce ee ee : 
lake BRI Oe a ee 
hake Moenvzalewies slot «2 coe 
Within the area of the Delta no rock appears except the lime- 
stone of Alexandria, the rest of the Delta is formed of the alluvial 
mud and fine sand brought down by the Nile. The alluvial mud 
and sand of the Delta rests upon a thick deposit of yellow quartz 
sands of varying coarness which include also layers of gravel masses 
of stiff clay. The thickness of the Nile mud varies considerably 
from point to point. The following table gives the thickness of it 
as found in recent well borings”). 
cs oO na 7 
nS on 2S 2 2 
osu 5S a o § 2 o8 
Sou] 2s on ee 
lac Pr oo lac 
Place a ee Place Sasol ae 
SAFI a. S24 81a. 
a o> Side os 
So = ° a) 
ee 
Shamarka ZG OZ nanometre 2 104 
(Kafr el Sheykh). .]} 17 42 Zagagiq’ ros. stele aa ee 35 
Simbellawein mee 5 9 Qalydb :... «i! \Ar Gal onsen 52 
1) Lyons: The Physiography of the River Nile and its basin. — Cairo 1906. 
*) Boring made by the Royal Geographical Society. 
