184 



seeing that the point where we then were, was really 

 part of the sea opposite to the desert of Barca, and 

 had no communication whatever with the Nile." 



"On the contrary, the Etesian winds blowing all 

 summer upon that coast, from the westward of north, 

 and a current setting constantly to the eastward, it is 

 impossible that any part of the mud of the Nile can 

 go so high to the windward of any of the mouths of 

 that river."* 



If we examine the bottom of the ocean with a view 

 to its character, we shall find, that in almost every sea 

 and latitude, at a certain depth, we have an oozy or 

 muddy bottom. 



In support of this position, I might fill whole pages 

 from the journals of different navigators in various 

 parts of the world ; but the following are considered 

 amply sufficient. 



In a voyage made by order of the King of France 

 in 1771 and 1773, en divers parties de V Europe, de 

 I'JLfrique, et de I'JLmerique pour Verifier I'utilite de 

 plusier methodes et instruments serving a determiner 

 la latitude, tc. par Verdun de la Creene, le Chevalier 

 de Border, et Pingre Chancellor de Paris, we find 

 the following report. 



Soundings on the coast of Spain. 



t( From the mole, the most eastern from the city 

 (Cadiz) called point de St. Croix, at the distance of, 

 from four to eight cables length, it is good anchorage, 

 in six to eight fathoms, muddy bottom, v (fond de vase.) 



* Bruce's Travels, vol. I. page 85. 



