90 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. CHAP. XIV. 



Vignette N. View of the modern town of Manfalo6t, showing the height of the banlcs 

 of the Nile in summer. In the mountain range, opposite Maufalo6t, are the large crocodile 

 mummy caves of Maabdeh. 



CHAP. XIV. 



The Sacred Animals. 



1 NEXT proceed to mention the sacred animals. 



Of these, many different grades existed. Some 

 were looked upon as Deities, others were merely 

 emblems of the Gods. The worship of some was 

 general throughout Egypt, that of others was con- 

 fined to particular districts ; and the same animal 

 which received Divine honours in one part of the 

 country, was often execrated and held in abhor- 

 rence in another. In one city a sacred fisli was 

 venerated, in another it was served up among the 

 delicacies of the table ; and many serious quarrels 

 ensued between whole towns and provinces, owing 



