AND LOWER EGYPT. 1 99 



as well as sparrows, in the middle of the day, with 

 their bills half open, and the muscles of their breasts 

 agitated, breathing with difficulty, and as if they 

 panted for respiration. This instinct, which in- 

 duces them to prefer those means of subsistence 

 which are easily obtained, and in abundance, al- 

 though attended with some sufFen 112;, resembles the 

 mind of man whom a thirst lor riches cnsases to 

 brave calamities and dangers without number. 



A multitude of winged insects serve, gt the same 

 time, for food to the swallows, which never quit a 

 climate so well calculated to afford them habitations 

 and subsistence. The Egyptians give them an 

 Arabian name, which corresponds with that oi bird 

 of paradise. Another species of birds, a great foe 

 to insects, the laundress, so well known in the 

 more northern parts of Egypt, is no longer to be 

 found in these southern countries : but small 

 flocks of ravens are now and then to be met with. 



The insects there, which are the most numerous 

 and troublesome, are the flies *. Both man and 

 beast are cruelly tormented by them. No idea can 

 be formed of their obstinate rapacity, when they 

 wish to fix on some part of the body. It is in vain 

 to drive them away, they return again the self-same 

 moment, and their perseverance wearies out the 



* Musca (iomestica. Lin. 



o 4 most 



