32 EDOUARD NAVILLE ON 



to us if it were found that the passage of the Israelites through the 

 Red Sea was nearer to Ismailia and to Rameses than was 

 previously supposed, a great point was gained. I was very anxious 

 before we reported on the subject of the enlargement of the Canal 

 that we should clearly ascertain what was the nature of the strata 

 that would have to be dealt with and passed through. In the dis- 

 trict referred to near the Bitter Lakes, I went on one occasion up 

 the slope of the Canal and saw something rather striking at a level 

 of about 12 or 15 feet above the level of the Canal, which, for all 

 practical purposes, was within an inch or so of the level of the sea. 

 I saw something attracting attention and I took a pick out of a 

 workman's hand and struck it into the earth and then I dug up 

 this very sample which I hold in my hand. At first sight I thought 

 it was gypsum, and so I said, but standing by my side was an 

 Italian gentleman, who had been one of the engineers employed on 

 that section of the Canal. I said, " This is gypsum." "Oh no," he 

 said, " it is salt." " What makes you say salt ? " said I. " Why," 

 he said, "the whole district here is covered with salt." Now here 

 I will hand to our President, Sir George Stokes, that very piece 

 which I dug up, and I think by its taste and form of crystals, 

 which are cubical, he will be much inclined to say that it is salt ? 

 [The President assented.] Now, it being admitted that it is salt, 

 here we have the fact that at some time or other this land must 

 have been submerged — or the sea has receded. I think this piece 

 of salt is a proof of the truth of Professor Hull's theory, and it 

 is also a proof of the accuracy of the writer of this Paper when he 

 refers to the slow rising of the ground which at a later time cut off 

 Lake Timsah from the Bitter Lakes. If this specimen does not 

 prove that at this time this land must have been under the influence 

 of the sea at a level of 12 feet, I do not know what proof is. 

 (Cheers.) I have great pleasure in seconding the resolution. 



The resolution was then carried unanimously. 



Rev. W. Wright, D.D. — Whilst thanking you for the kind men- 

 tion of my name in the vote of thanks, I do not feel that I deserve 

 any thanks whatever. It has been to me a great pleasure to have 

 read this Paper to-night for my valued friend Dr. Naville. I have 

 studied the country he describes, and while not expressing any 

 opinion as to several minor suggestions towards the end of the 

 Paper, I agree with its substance throughout. In regard to this 

 crossing of the Red Sea I think we sometimes hamper ourselves 



