Great Temple of Carnac in Thebes. 57 



The fa9ade of the propylon is rustic, not unlike the rude ar- 

 chitecture of the time of Justinian. It has four large open- 

 ings pierced throughout the mass. From the top, which is 

 easy of ascent, we have a splendid uninterrupted view of every 

 part of the temple to the east and south. Behind us, to the 

 west, is a luxuriant fertile plain in Dourra, (Holms Dourra) 

 rice, (Oryza saliva — Egypt. Arabic Rouss,) and interspersed 

 with palm trees extending to the Nile. On the opposite bank, 

 the eye takes in the long range of catacombs, (the ancient 

 Necropolis,) the Memnonion, temples of Medinet Aboo, &c. 

 and the two remarkable colossal statues. The prospect ter- 

 minates with the sterile rocks, forming the valley of Biban el 

 Moluk, the sombre valley of death, the last and dreary abode 

 of the kings of this country. It is worthy of remark, that the 

 modern inhabitant of Egypt has the same predilection for 

 the solitude of the desert, as the abode of death. To resume 

 the description of the temple: The inside of the portal is 

 smoothed, but bears no sculptures. There is inscribed on it 

 a list of latitudes and longitudes by the French savans who 

 accompanied the army of Napoleon into Egypt. * The por- 

 tal P is 22 feet wide ; the propylon extends for 171 feet on 

 each side. The mass is 41 feet in thickness. Passing through 

 the portal, follows a spacious court C, having two rows of co- 

 lumns in the middle, each 28 feet in circumference, and on each 

 side is a portico formed by a wall and columns, b, b, 20 feet in 

 circumference. These columns are tapering in shape, and 

 have for their capital the lotus flowers reversed, resembling a 

 bell turned downwards. To the right hand, or south, is a 

 suite of chambers d, having single or double porticoes. In 

 the first, the square pillars forming the portico bear on their 

 front large figures with the crook and flagellum across the 

 shoulders. The walls bear sculptures of the hero, (always 

 designated by his high cap, colossal size, and having a bird 



Long. Lat Long. Lat. 



• Dendcra, 30° 21' 0" 20° 10' 0" Edfou, 30° 33' 4" 25° C 0" 

 f Carnac, 30 20 4 25 44 15 Ombos, 30 38 39 24 28 

 (Luxor, 30 10 16 20 42 25 Syene, 30 24 19 24 6 6 



Ksnch, 30 14 12 25 19 39 Islcof Philoe, 30 33 40 24 3 45 

 fbpuh/irjitc Franchise, An. viii. Gcog. dcs Monument. Commission, ties Sciences 



* < ilcs Art*. 



