THE SOURCE OF THE NILE. 57 



cends to the weftward, to that part of Libya called the Scy- 

 thian Region ; and fouth of the Memphitic nome is the Ar- 

 finoite nome, which is bounded on the weftward by the fame 

 part of Libya. 



To prove that the latter opinion of Pliny fliould outweigh 

 the former one, Dr Shaw cites *Diodorus Siculus, who fays 

 Memphis was moil commodioufly fituated in the very key, 

 or inlet of the country, where the river begins to divide itfelf 

 into feveral branches, and forms the Delta. 



I cannot conceive a greater proof of a man being blind- 

 ed by attachment to his own opinion, than this quotation. 

 For Memphis was in lat. 29 ° 50', and the point of the Delta 

 was in 30 , and this being the latitude of Geeza, it cannot be 

 that of Memphis. That city muft be fought for ten or eleven 

 miles farther fouth. 



If, as Dr Shaw fuppofes, it was nineteen miles round, 

 and that it was five or fix miles inbreadth, its greateft breadth 

 would probably be to the river. Then 1 o and 6 make 1 6, 

 which will be the latitude of Metrahenny, according to f Dr 

 Shaw's method of computation. 



But then it cannot be faid that Geeza is either in the key- 

 or inlet of the country ; all to the weftward of Geeza is plain, , 

 and defert, and no mountain nearer it on the other fide than... 

 the caftle of Cairo. 



Vol. I. H Dr 



DiccL. Sic. p. 45. § 50.- f3Iiaw's T.avels, p. 295. in t'-clatiturie. quoted. 



