1850.] Note on the Strata of Coal in Wddi Araba. 139 



were in one place firmly imbedded, also a nail found at the same spot. 

 A bag containing a specimen of the gravelly sand, which is being used 

 for covering the surface of the road. 



No. 7. A specimen of sand dug out by the road side opposite the 

 Dak Bungalow. 



No. 8. A specimen of sand from Dackinpura west of Meitapura 

 and close to Bankipura (Patna), where it is conjectured the river Soane 

 once had its bed. 



Note on the Strata cut through in excavating for Coal in tVddi Araba, 

 eastern desert of Egypt, by Hekekyan Bey. Communicated by 

 Captain T. J. Newbold. 



Note. — Wddi Araba is one of the transverse vallies that cross the 

 limestone and sandstone formation of the eastern desert of Egypt, and 

 which formed, in ancient times, the principal channels of commerce 

 between the Nile and the Red Sea. It debouches on the rif (cultivable 

 portion of the valley of the Nile) near Beir Bidd, opposite Benisuef, in 

 about Lat. N. 30° 50', and leads to the interesting monasteries of 

 St. Anthony and St. Paul in the desert. The former is about 18 miles, 

 and the latter about 9 miles distant from the Red Sea. The Md&zi 

 tribe of Arabs, regards the Wddi as belonging to their country, and set 

 a high value on the springs of fresh water with which it and the subor- 

 dinate Wddis abound. 



Wddi Araba literally signifies Valley of chariots, and hence has 

 been supposed to have derived its name, from having been the road by 

 which Pharoah with his chariots and horsemen, pursued the children of 

 Israel to the Red Sea. Sir G. Wilkinson ridicules this idea, and 

 asserts that the valley, which is of considerable breadth, has received 

 its name from the plaustra or carts, that formerly carried provisions to 

 the two monasteries. This, however, the Arabs in the vicinity denied to 

 me, and the probability is that the name is of far more ancient date, 

 and was given in consequence of its being the road by which stones 

 from the ancient alabaster quarries in the vicinity were conveyed on 

 cars to the Nile. In like manner the road to the Porphyry quarries 

 from the Nile, was termed " Sikket el Arabiyehr — T. J. N. 



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