291 



In the second place, it becomes necessary to examine 

 the rate at which the current of the JSile generally 

 flows. 



On this subject, neither historians nor travellers have 

 been sufficiently explicit. The conclusion, however, 

 is, that, except at the period of its inundation, its cur- 

 rent is in general rather sluggish.* 



M. Volney observes that in sailing up the Mile, 

 "the declivity is so gentle, that the water does not 

 flow faster than a league an hour."f 



Mr. Brown says that " Its motion is even slower 

 than the Thames, and does not exceed three miles an 

 hour.^J 



We are not to conclude from this, however, that the 

 rate of its motion is the same, generally, throughout its 

 whole course. Nevertheless, it is represented as be- 

 ing clear and unmixed with alluvion, except during its 

 rapid increase and elevation. Mr. Irwin says " FOF 

 a league or more from the bar, (of the Nile) the water 

 retains its crystal hue and fresh quality, of which we 

 convinced ourselves by an experiment."^ 



We are informed by travellers, that Abyssinia 

 and the neighbouring part of Africa, are inundated 



* Who that beholds thee, Nile, thus gently flow, 

 With scarce a wrinkle on thy glassy brow, 

 Can guess thy rage when rocks resist thy force.*" Lucan. 



t Volney's Travels, page 13. 



\ Brown's Travels, page 63 to 66. 



Irwin's Voyage up the Red Sea, vol. II, page 99. 



