THE NUBIAN NILE. 



53 



into seven navigable reaches ; nor can vessels pass from one to the other except 

 at hio-h water, or without the aid of hundreds of hands to haul them over the rapids 

 or check their downward course. Were the waters of the Nile not retained 

 by these obstructions, and were the stream allowed to flow freely during the 

 dry season, the question may be asked whether there would be sufficient water 

 for the whole year ; would a delta have ever been developed or an Egypt created ? 

 Preceded, between Tamaniat and the Jebel Melekhat, by two steep rapids and 



Fig. 16. — Cataract of Hannek. 



Scale 1 : 30,000. 



1,100 Yards. 



a gorge commanded by two basaltic columns, the sixth and most southern cataract 

 between Khartum and the mouth of the Atbara would hardly be thought worthy 

 of the name on such rivers as those of Canada and Scandinavia, where the still- 

 undeveloped valleys have preserved their abrupt declivities notwithstanding the 

 constant erosive action of the running waters. This cataract of Garri is rather a 

 rapid caused by the presence of granite reefs at this point; still it suffices to 

 interrupt the navigation for the greater part of the year. When the railway, 



