CATARACTS AND INUNDATIONS. 13 



further to the west, and winds nearly as far to the south as the 'Hoan- 

 ho does to the north. After washing the walls of Nankin, it enters 

 the sea about 100 miles to the south of the Hoanho. The Kian 

 ku is known by various names through its long progress ; and near 

 its source is called by the Eluts, Porticho, or Petchori : the c6tirse 

 is about equal to that of the Hoan-ho ; these two rivers being con- 

 sidered as nearly or altogether the largest on the face of the globe* 

 They certainly equal if they do not exceed the famous river of the 

 Amazons in South America, and the majestic course of the Ganges 

 does not extend half the length. In the embassy of Lord Macartney* 

 the length of the Kian-ku was estimated at about 2200 miles ; and it 

 is observed that these two great Chinese rivers, taking their source 

 from the same mountains, and passing almost close to each other in 

 a particular spot, afterwards separate from each other to the dis. 

 tance of 15 of latitude, or about 10.",0 British miles, and finally 

 discharge themselves into the same sea, comprehending a tract of 

 land of about 1000 miles in length, which they greatly contribute to 

 fertilize. 



AFRICA. 



Of the rivers of Africa, the NILE is the most celebrated ; it i< 

 also called Abanchi, which, in the Abyssinian tongue, signifies " th 

 father of rivers," and by the Africans Neel Shem, which means tiie 

 Egyptian river. It divides Egypt into two parts. The extent of this 

 river is supposed to be something more than two thousand miles from 

 its source, amidst the mountains of the Moon, in Upper Ethiopia, to 

 jts disemboguing into the Mediterranean Sea, by seven channels, 

 through which it has forced its way, two only of which are now na- 

 vigable. The ancients were entirely ignorant of the source of this 

 river, although many endeavours were used to explore it; but its 

 sources are now well known to lie in about the 12th degree of north 

 latitude. It enters the lake of Dambia, in Abyssinia, crossing it 

 one end with so violent a rapidity, that the waters of the Nile may 

 be distinguished throughout their progress, which is six leagues. 

 Here, according to Lobo, commences its magnificence ; and its ge- 

 neral course we may venture to give in the picturesque but correct 

 description of Thomson, 



