CHAP. XIII. A NEW APIS. 355 



Apis, at the time of the new Moon, and placing 

 him in a boat prepared for the purpose, convey 

 him to Memphis, where he has a convenient and 

 agreeable abode, with pleasure grounds, and ample 

 space for wholesome exercise. Female compa- 

 nions of his own species are provided for him, the 

 most beautiful that can be found, kept in apart- 

 ments, to whicli he has access when he wislies. 

 He drinks out of a well or fountain of clear water ; 

 for it is not tliought right to give him the water of 

 the Nile, wliich is considered too fattening. 



*' It would be tedious to relate what pompous 

 processions and sacred ceremonies the Egy})tians 

 perform on the celebration of the rising of the Nile, 

 at the fete of the Theophania, in honour of this God, 

 or what dances, festivities, and joyful assemblies 

 are appointed on the occasion, in the towns and in 

 the country." He then says, " the man froui whose 

 herd the divine beast lias sprung, is the happiest 

 of mortals, and is looked upon with admiration by 

 all people; " which refutes his previous statement 

 respecting the divine Cow : and the assertions of 

 other writers, as well as probability, show that it 

 was not the mother which was ckosen to produce a 

 Calf with particular marks, but that the Apis was 

 selected from its having them. The honour con- 

 ferred on the cow which bore it, was retros])cctive, 

 being given her after the Apis with its pro])er 

 marks " had been found " by the {)riests ; and this 

 is consistent with the respect paid to the possessor 

 of the favoured herd, in which the Sacred Bull had 

 been discovered. " Apis," contiuucs the natu- 



A A '2 



