THE HUMAN SPECIES. 349 



EGYPT. 



If the isthmus of the Red Sea was already closed on the 

 Mediterranean side, when the first human population came to 

 the western shores of Asia, it may be assumed that the delta 

 of the Nile was not yet so consolidated as to offer any firm 

 footing beyond the sands on the beach ; while the marshy 

 fens within them were, as yet, only beginning to form the pres- 

 ent lower province. Gradually the valley was occupied, from 

 the head of the first bifurcation of the river, up to the cataracts, 

 by a population of very distinct origin, cemented together by 

 causes not now accessible to investigation ; for here three 

 nations, at least, adopted the same system of civilization, and 

 amalgamated together from different sources of migration, 

 elaborating a state religion, and peculiar social institutions, 

 whatever difference there might be else in tribal speech and 

 local doctrines. The oldest of these nations had been pushed 

 up the river by succeeding immigrations, and was of true 

 Ethiopie character, Indo-Arab, deb or black, and since known 

 by the names of Aurites, or Abarites. It was apparently com- 

 posed of tribes expelled the coast of Malabar, and distinguished 

 b\* the more elevated position of the ears, by large dark eyes, 

 strong curly hair, long legs, thick lips, and very swarthy color: 

 the second, a brown race, with lank hair, were the Misr, or 

 Mestrai (Misraim of antiquity), said to have been led by Masr ; 

 but all these names indicate a mixed race, which both were ; 

 and the third, governed by a fairer high-featured tribe of real 

 Caucasians, were most likely the last comers, and in part a 

 privileged body of conquerors ; they were, collectively, the 

 Gouptas, Koptos, said to have followed the mythological 

 Menes,* who first nestled in the marshes of the delta, and 



* Menes, the same as Mauu, who binds the ark to the peak of Hima- 

 vahn ; and Meru, whose holy mountain was west of Cabul, near Bamean, 

 and ancestor of Rama ; but it may be a name for Joktan. 



30 



