i 7 $ APPENDIX. 



it, were fo frequent as to be a nuifance, and that we know 

 as furely two other things, that neither the vipers are a 

 .nuifance, nor is the Ibis in Egypt at this day, we mull look 

 for fome change in the ceconomy of the country which can 

 account for this. 



We know in a manner not to doubt, that in ancient times 

 'Egypt was inhabited, and extended to the edges of the Li- 

 byan Defert; nay, in fome places, confiderably into it; large 

 Jakes were dug in this country by their firft kings, and thefe, 

 filled in the time of the Nile's inundation, continued im- 

 menfe refervoirs, which were let out by degrees to water 

 the plantations and pleafure ground that had been created 

 by man, in what was formerly a defert. Nothing in fact 

 was wanting but water, and thefe large lakes fupplied this 

 want abundantly, by furnifhing water of the pureft and 

 mofl perfect kind : in the neighbourhood of thefe artifi- 

 jcial plantations, there can be no .doubt the viper muft be a 

 nuifance. Being indigenous in this his domicil, it is not 

 probable he would quit it eafily, and any deficiency of them 

 in number would not have failed to be fupplied from the 

 deferts in the neighbourhood. The prodigious pools of 

 ftagnant water would bring the Ibis thither, and place him 

 near his enemy, and after man had once difcerned his life* 

 gratitude would foon lead him to reward him. 



But after, when thefe immenfe lakes, and the conduits 

 leading to them, were neglected, and the works ruined 

 which conducted thefe artificial inundations, and covered 

 the deferts of Libya with verdure ; when war and tyranny, 

 and every fort of bad government, made people fly from 

 .the country, or live precarioufly and infecure in it, all this 



temporary 



