GO Major-General Straton's Description of the 



south wall has large figures of the god, with comparatively 

 diminutive human figures at his feet, and adoring hiim It is 

 thus, throughout, by comparative size, that the Egyptians de- 

 signated their gods, their heroes, and the different ranks of 

 mankind. On each side are passages of black granite, marked 

 on the plan with a deep shade. Proceeding onwards, we have 

 a large court, 191 feet long ; crossing it, there is a quadruple 

 portico Q, 116 feet by 32 ; and to the right, or south, a range 

 of apartments, perhaps for the priests, opening to the portico 

 in front. The figures here are in relief, and represent offer- 

 ings to the god, scenes of embracing, Sec. In size, uniformity, 

 and style of entrance, these chambers are really not unlike the 

 cells of modern monks, though very differently decorated. 

 The porticoes are all roofed with slabs, painted blue, and 

 sculptured. Passing along the portico to the east end, we 

 have another suite of small similar chambers P P, with a colon- 

 nade in front not entire, m. At the eastern entrance h, we 

 trace the remains of a granite gateway ; and at the dis- 

 tance of twenty feet two colossal figures on each side aa, 

 various fragments of colossi, a colonnade, and, at the distance 

 of 321 feet from the eastern wall, a propylon and portal, with 

 sculptured figures E. The northern entrance N has a propy- 

 lon and portal, avenue of sphinxes, having the lion's body, 

 and human head* — the countenance is feminine. There are 

 two colossi in front. On the cornice of the propylon is an 

 immense globe, with expanded wings ; there are also serpents 

 sculptured and painted. This propylon is at the distance of 

 900 feet from the north wall of the temple, and in the inter- 

 mediate space are various ruins, a gateway, &c. To the 

 north of the propylon is a rich plain in dourra and rice, 

 interspersed with palm-trees. We proceed to examine the 

 figures sculptured on the exterior walls, commencing at the 

 north-east angle n. We find the usual offerings and presen- 



• This conjunction of the lion's body with the female human head, has 

 been supposed to denote Leo and Virgo, and to be typical of the most inte- 

 resting of all events to an Egyptian, the inundation of the Nile, which 

 usually takes place when the sun is in Leo and Virgo, viz. from the 23d 

 July, when the river begins to rise, to the 22d September, when it is at its 

 height, or begins to decrease. 



