I4C> Travels in upper 



trouble of loading boats with them, they collect 

 them m rafts, which float very well, and of which 

 each piece is destined for food. When these floats 

 or rafts have only to cross the river, they do not 

 make them very large, and a man swims across to 

 the opposite shore dragging them after him. If 

 they have a long voyage to perform, they are 

 made larger and towed along by a boat. 



The first crocodile which I saw In Egypt, made 

 its appearance at some distance beyond Sahei. 

 He was immoveable in the middle of the river; 

 his head alone was visible above the water. In 

 proportion as you ascend the Nile, these frightful 

 animals become more common. Thev are formi- 

 dable to the inhabitants. In some places they 

 are obliged to form, even in the river, an enclo- 

 sure of stakes and faggots, that the v^'omen, in 

 drawing water frojii it, may not have their legs 

 carried off by the crocodiles. 



A little village, opposite to which v;e stopped^ 

 points out under the barbarous name of IIou, 4he 

 site of DlospoUs, which has been surnamed the 

 Utile, to distinguish it from the two oihcx Dlospolis, 

 which are likewise to be found in Egypt. Hou 

 occupies still the eminence upon which, historians 

 tell us, the ancient city was built. Rubbish, large 

 bricksj stones still larger, the remains of a bas- 

 tion. 



