CHAPTER XXVI. 



INTRODUCED ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF EGYPT. 



In their original condition, the alluvial flats of the Nile, appear to 

 have been a pastoral tract; devoid of trees, and in all probability, 

 abounding in game. In proportion as the soil became occupied for 

 irrigation and cultivation, game doubtless became rare; and some of 

 the larger kinds, disappeared from the valley. There is, perhaps, no 

 reason to suppose the extinction of species ; for as the Nile, on the 

 one hand, opened a path to Northern Climates for the lion; so, other 

 animals inhabiting its banks, appear to have been originally Asiatic. 



The natural vegetation of these river-flats, is extremely simple ; 

 and consists of grasses, and other herbaceous and humble plants. 

 The species, are few in number; and at least in affinity, are Euro- 

 pean. Tropical forms, are rare, even in the Thebaid ; and do not 

 modify the general aspect of the vegetable growth. 



It is no new remark, that the cultivated plants of Egypt, have been 

 all derived from abroad. Prior, then, to their introduction, agriculture 

 was unknown on the banks of the Nile; and the art, accompanied the 

 objects, from some foreign and distant country. 



I shall proceed to enumerate the domestic animals and plants of 

 Egypt, in chronological order; beginning with those figured on the 

 earliest monuments. 



1. The Primitive Mojiarchy, or the Ti?ne of the Pyramids. 



Some of the tombs immediately around the Great Pyramid, have 

 been ascertained to be coeval with it in their construction. These, 

 were first pointed out to me by Mr. Bonomi; and, together with a 



