On the Arabian Frontier of Egypt. 25 



that now extend northwards from these lakes to Lake Men- 

 zaleh.* 



Now if we compare the height of the water at the nilome- 

 ter of Roda Island during the inundation of that year, with 

 the height it generally attains in an average favourable in- 

 undation, the difference is under eighteen inches.f Hence, 

 it is quite clear that what happened in 1800, might happen 

 every year, minus that small difference. As surely as water 

 will run into a hollow and rise in it to its own level, so 

 surely would the Nile run into this valley to this very day, 

 and fill it annually to a considerable depth, if no restraint 

 were imposed on its course. There would be about 14 feet 

 (English) of water near Abbasieh, — and 21 at Ras el Wady, 

 (as may be seen by the two upper slanting water-lines, — Vide 

 section 2.) Even when the Nile is at its lowest point, — as in- 

 dicated by the lower slanting line extending from the mea- 

 surement of that point on the nilometer to the end of the 

 valley, — there would be about 12 feet of water in the deep 

 parts of the ancient river's course, nearly up to the spot 

 where the vestiges of Hero are found. If the waters rose in 

 the valley up to the point of 1800, once, it was through an 

 accident by which, that once, the river was enabled to attain 

 its natural level. 



When we connect ^q facts brought to light by this irrup- 

 tion, with the construction of the valley as exhibited in the 

 section, the inevitable conclusion thereby forced upon us is 

 rather startling. For while we have before us physical proof 

 that art alone prevents a considerable river from flowing in 

 its natural channel to this day, it is equally certain that the 



* [Those who wish to go over the very remarkable and interesting details 

 of this inundation, will find the jiarticulars, — Descr. de I'Kgypte, Et Mod., vol. 

 xi., pp. 82-86, Mem. sur le Canal des 2 Mers, by M. J. M. Le Pero.— Appen- 

 dix, vol. xviii., pp. 349-355, Mem. M. Uubois-Ayme. — Extrait du Journal de 

 M. Devilliers, ibid., pp. 379-382. — And vol. v. Ant., Descr. des Ant. de I'lsthme, 

 by the same, p. 134-158.] 



t The waters of 1800 rose to 30 Paris feet and a few inches above the point 

 of the nilometer, 3 digits above the ISth cubit over the capital of the column; 

 and this measure is adapted to the scale of the levelling operations, in tbo sec- 

 tion. A rise of 29 feet above the point is regarded as the measure of an 

 abundant inundation. 



