356 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



EGYPT. 



IF the isthmus of the Red Sea was already closed on 

 the Mediterranean side, when the first human popu- 

 lation came to the western shores of Asia, it may be 

 assumed, that the delta of the Nile was not yet so 

 consolidated as to offer any firm footing beyond the 

 sands on the beach ; while the marshy fens within 

 them were, as yet, only beginning to form the present 

 lower province. Gradually the valley was occupied 

 from the head of the first bifurcation of the river, up 

 to the cataracts, by a population of very distinct 

 origin, cemented together by causes not now acces- 

 sible to investigation ; for here three nations, at least, 

 adopted the same system of civilization, and amal- 

 gamated together from different sources of migration, 

 elaborating a state religion, and peculiar social institu- 

 tions, whatever difference there might be else in tribal 

 speech and local doctrines. The oldest of these nations 

 had been pushed up the river by succeeding immigra- 

 tions, and was of true Ethiopic character, Indo-Arab, 

 deb or black, and since known by the names of Aurites 

 or Abarites. It was apparently composed of tribes 

 expelled the coast of Malabar, and distinguished by the 

 more elevated position of the ears, by large dark eyes, 

 strong curly hair, long legs, thick lips, and very swarthy 

 colour : the second, a brown race, with lank hair, were 

 the Misr or Mestrai (Misraim of antiquity), said to 

 have been led by Masr ; but all these names indicate 



