SACARA. 



365 



whereas the general size of those in the upper part is only one foot 

 ten inches or two feet. * This pyramid is built of hard white stone ; 

 in some places you see fossil remains ; bat not so numerous as in 

 the large pyramid a mile to the north of this. From the summit we 

 had a most extensive prospect of the fertile plain towards the 

 Nile on the east of the pyramids, which was the most probable 

 situation of Memphis -j-, of Jebel Jehusi on the other side of the 

 river, of the castle of Cairo, and of all the pyramids, both those of 

 Giza and Sacara. On the tops of these great heights the eagles build 

 their nests ; we heard the noise of the young ones as we went up. 

 Two of them were taken by the Arabs, and carried home with us. 

 Pococke is mistaken in supposing that the angle near the middle 

 only appears to be such from the covering above having slid down : 

 as we were at the summit we had an opportunity of examining it 

 more exactly than he could possibly do below, of measuring the 

 angle, of seeing that the covering stone is on as well above as below 

 it ; and that it is only from this station one can see the top and 

 bottom at the same time. Having taken the bearing of this from the 

 principal objects, we rode 20 minutes north to the largest pyramid 

 where we had been the day before. Though the sun was extremely 

 hot, being about mid-day we mounted this pyramid, and took its 

 height. We descended quickly, and rode home, as the Arabs 

 themselves were impatient, being no longer able to bear the intolerable 

 heat. While we were employed in measuring, they sheltered them- 

 selves below the stones. In passing by the pyramid called Pharaoh's 

 Seat we saw six Gazelles at some distance from us ; there are a 

 great number in these desarts ; this animal is the Antelope of the 



* " The following are the dimensions of one of the stones with which the pyramid is 



covered ; , ^_ \ length of the side four feet seven inches." — Davison. 



t Mr. Davison's opinion respecting the site of Memphis agrees with that of the best 

 travellers in Egypt. Great quantities of breccia and granite are seen near Metrahenny, 

 and extensive ruins have been found lately near this place, which escaped the researches of 

 Shaw, Bruce, Pococke, Norden, and other travellers. — Hamilton's iEgypt, 314. 



