AND LOWER EGYPT. 303 



Here the Nile extends itself to a vast distance, 

 and forms an immense sheet of water, above which 

 habitations and pieces of cultivated ground ap- 

 pear (o iioat. 



Before Bousch^ the chain of mountains toward 

 the east is rounded into a. projecting point, and 

 higher than the adjacent masses in the same chain. 

 This point is white, particularly in those parts 

 which have been worn by the current of the wa- 

 ter, and where the surface is of a dazzling white. 

 It is called Dsjehel Guypse (mountain of plaster). 

 A considerable quantity of plaster is, in fact, ex- 

 tracted from it, which they convey to Cairo in 

 long barges, extremely well constructed, and car- 

 rying only one square sail. 



On the approach of night the vessel was moor- 

 ed opposite to a village called Meimoian, built at 

 some distance from the shore. I observed some 

 pelicans skimming along the surface of the water, 

 and I remarked that the flight of this bird is in- 

 terrupted ; that is to say, it flaps its wings from 

 eight to ten times in succession ; then it hovers in 

 the air ; again it beats its wings, and so alternately 

 during the whole of its flight. 



Opposite to Meimoiim, on the eastern coast, 

 there is an old convent of Cophts ; and some- 

 what 



