Chap. XI. animals rescued fko.m the water. 101 



God Nilus* both of a red and a blue colour, — indi- 

 cating the river during the turbid state of the inun- 

 dation, and the clearness of the low Ni^e. 



In the beginning of August, the canals were 

 again opened, and the waters once more overflowed 

 the plain. That part nearest the desert, being the 

 lowest level, was first inundated ; as the bank itself, 

 being the highest, was the last part submerged, ex- 

 cept in the Delta, wdiere the levels were more uni- 

 form, and where, during the high inundations, the 

 whole land, with the exception of its isolated vil- 

 lages, was under water. As the Nile rose, the pea- 

 sants were careful to remove the flocks and herds 

 from the lowlands; and when a sudden irruption of 

 the water, owing to the bursting of a dyke, or an 

 unexpected and unusual increase of the river, over- 

 flowed the flelds and pastures, they were seen hur- 

 rying to the spot, on foot, or in boats, to rescue the 

 animals t, and to remove them to the high grounds 

 abov^e the reach of the inundation. Some, tying 

 their clothes upon their heads, dragged the sheep 

 and goats from the water, and put them into boats ; 

 others swam the oxen to the nearest high ground ; 

 and if any corn or other produce could be cut or 

 torn up by the roots, in time to save it from the 

 flood, it was conveyed on rafts or boats to the next 

 village. 



Guards were placed to watch the dykes, which 

 protected the lowlands, and the utmost care was 



* Vide infra, Pantheon, on the God Nilus. 



■f Diodor. i. 86. Vide the following woodcut, and Vignette B. Vol. I. 

 p. 40. 



H 3 



