AND LOWER EGYPT. 32 I 



The fowlers of Egypt catch them in nets. Du- 

 ring the first days after their passage, such num- 

 bers are on sale in the markets of Alexandria, 

 that three, and sometimes four, may be bought 

 for a medina, or for fifteen or sixteen deniers 

 (not three farthings). The crews of merchant- 

 ships were fed upon them ; and there existed at 

 the consul's office at Alexandria several com- 

 plaints preferred by mariners against their cap- 

 tains, for giving them nothing but quails to eat. 



In walking over the gardens of Rossetta, a 

 hedge-hog v/as pointed put to me, which in Ara- 

 bic is called confhess *. This quadruped is com- 

 mon in Lower Egypt, but in Upper Egypt it is 

 not to be met with. The neighbouring pools 

 were filled with thousands of frogs, which make 

 a terrible noise. The reeds among which these 

 reptiles conceal themselves at the bottom of the 

 water, serve to make ropes, which are in general 

 use. 



I found the same idea prevailed at Rossetta as 

 in the Said, respecting the property ascribcid to 

 the smoke of mastich : but v/ilh this ditference, 

 that in Upper Egypt it was considered as being 

 absolutely mortal to the sick who inhaled it ; 

 whereas at Rossetta it was only looked upon as 



*■ Erinaceus Europaus. 



VOL. III. Y being 



