339 



The ancient city of Kolzoun, which, in the time of the 

 Caliphs, stood at the head of the gulf of Suez, is en- 

 tirely buried with sand, and at the distance of six 

 miles, or two leagues, from the present head of the 

 gulf. * This distance fe allowed for the retreat of the 

 sea in seventeen centuries. 



It is a prevailing opinion with several, that the 

 gaining of the land upon this sea, is occasioned by the 

 current of the tides and waves, which throw the sand 

 upon the beach, where it accumulates, and the sea 

 retires. 



On this subject M. Volney says, " The dock at 

 Suez is ill adapted to repair such damages ; scarcely 

 do they build a Cayasse in three years. Besides that, 

 the sea, which from its flux and reflux accumulates the 

 sand upon that coast, will at last choak up the entrance, 

 and the same change will take place at Suez, which 

 has already at Kolzoun and Arsinoe."t 



Mr. Rennell is likewise disposed to attribute this 

 change to the same cause ; that is, to the operation of 

 the tides, and strong south winds. J 



But why, let us ask, is not the same effect produced 

 on the western coast of the Red Sea, by the sands that 

 are borne, by the winds, almost from the Persian Gulf, 

 across the deserts ; and the waves that are beating di- 

 rectly upon it? No mention is here made of any 

 thing of the kind* 



* Volney's Travels, page 

 \ Rennell's Herodotus, p 



f Do- page 137. 

 page 475. 



