CHAP. XI. INCREASE OF ALLUVIAL DEPOSIT. 109 



comparison of the height to which tlie water now 

 rises and formerly rose in the Niiometer of Ele- 

 phantine. In the plain of Thebes are some co- 

 lossal statues of Amunoph III., of which two still 

 occupy their original site, and one of these has long 

 been known under the name of the " T^ocal Mem- 

 nony They stood on either side of the dromos 

 leading to a temple built by that Pharaoh, and at 

 intervals between them and the temple were other 

 colossi, statues, and tablets, long since thrown down 

 or mutilated, and nearly covered by the alluvial 

 deposits of tlie inundation. Their relative posi- 

 tion may be better understood from the plan *, 

 where it will be seen that before the temple A, are 

 the tablets B, C, and 420 feet beyond are the frag- 

 ments of a colossus E ; then at a distance of 220 

 feet are another fallen colossus G, and, as a pendant 

 to it, a group of comparatively small figures, cut 

 out of a single block, at F; the colossi H,I, which 

 are still standing, being 300 feet flirther, and ap- 

 pearing to terminate the dromos. 



The temple is now surrounded by alluvial soil, 

 and the water and mud of the inundation extend 

 to the distance of 600 feet behind it. But when 

 erected, about the year 1420 b. c, not only the 

 body of the temple, but the dromos, or paved road 

 leading to it, as well as the base of the colossi H,I, 

 were above the reach of the inundation ; and the 

 statues at F, which are still erect in their original 

 position, were exposed to view, tliough now buried 

 to their waist in the alluvial deposit. 



* Plate 18. No. 4. 



