AND LOWER EGYPT. 89 



of pumice- stone. That which is the most esteemed 

 for that purpose is of a blackish hue. They give 

 it the form of a wedge cut with an edge on one 

 side, and with a fiat surface on the other. This 

 form is the most convenient for the hand of the 

 rubber. The flat side, or the bottom, is striped 

 with deep incisions, which give it the roughness 

 of a large tile, and which scrape the soles of the 

 feet in a superior manner. 



The pieces of pumice-stone thus manufactured 

 are called, in Arabic, el hakke. It is said that the 

 best come from Palestine. The operation of hav- 

 ing the soles of the feet roughly rubbed, is one of 

 the luxuries of the Egyptians ; but it is insupport- 

 able at first to Europeans, and it excites involun- 

 tary motions, startings which the sensibility of the 

 parts occasions. After some time these delicate 

 sensations subside, and they find at last some 

 pleasure in the operation, especially when it is 

 performed by an experienced hand. 



The plains which surround 5/W are remarkable 

 for their abundance. The farinaceous plants in 

 these countries excite admiration by a rapid vege- 

 tation, and an astonishing quantity of produce. 

 The orchards yield fruits of every kind. 1 ate 

 there a great many of the nebka, a sort of plums 

 which I have already mentioned, and which disap- 

 pear 



