EGYPT. 



863 



2. Rivers. The only river is tlie JVi/e, which is formed in Nubia Ijy tlie junction of two 

 great streams, the Bahr el Azrek, which rises in Abyssinia, and tiie Balir el J]biad^ which is 

 supposed to have its sources in the Mountains of tlie IMoon, to the southwest. Traversing 

 Egypt from south to north, the Nile, below Cairo, divides into several branches, which dis- 

 charge its waters into the Mediterranean. The two principal mouths are that of Itosctta on 

 the west, and that of JJamiella on the east. Its length is about 2,400 miles, it annually 

 overflows, and fertilizes the country upon its banks during the summer months. 



3. Surface and Oases. The northern or lower part of Egypt consists of a rich alluvial 

 plain. Egypt to the south of Cairo, is a long valley, through which the Nile flows, sliut in by 

 mountains, beyond which, on both sides, are vast sandy deserts. In some parts of these 



deserts, at the distance of 100 miles 

 or more to the west of the Nile, are 

 small I'ertile spots of cultivated land, 

 situated like islands in the midst of 

 an ocean of sand ; tliey are called 

 oases, the name by which they were 

 known to the ancient Greeks, and by 

 the Arabs Elwah or U^adij. The 

 Great Oasis west of Thebes, is 100 

 miles in length from north to south, 

 and 15 or 25 in breadth. That of 

 Siioali is about G miles long, and 4 

 wide. A large proportion of this 

 space is filled with date-trees, which 

 afford the chief food of the inhabit- 

 ants. The dates are gathered in the 

 manner represented in the subjoined 

 cut. There are also cultivated pome- 

 granates, figs, olives, apricots, and 

 plantains, and the gardens are remark- 

 ably flourishing. A considerable 

 quantity of rice is cultivated here. 

 This has been supposed to be the 

 oasis where the famous temple of 

 Jupiter Amnion formerly stood. Mr. 

 Browne found here the ruins of an ed- 

 ifice which appeared to be the work of the ancient Egyptians, as the figures of Isis and Anubis 

 were conspicuous among the sculptures. Here are also catacombs, or ancient places of 

 sepulture. 



The mountains, which border the Nile, in Lower Egypt, are of a calcareous nature ; but 

 this composition ceases about 60 miles to the northward of the cataracts, and is succeeded by 

 freestone, in beds ; and, near Syene, granite and syenite, which takes its name thence, are 

 the chief component parts. In the eastern chain, abrupt precipices frecjuently ap[)eai', resem- 

 bling long walls, and approaching the banks of the river. 



4. Lakes. In Lower Egypt are several lakes, the largest of which is the lake of JMenzaleh, 

 which is separated from the Mediterranean only by an extremely narrow ridge of land, and 

 communicates with that sea, by 1 or 2 outlets. It is 50 miles long, and from 2 to 12 broad. 

 The lake of Bourlos, which adjoins, in like manner, to the Mediterranean, between Damiella 

 and Rosetta, is 25 miles long, and about S broad. The ancient lake of JMareotis, is now 

 almost dry, although the sea has been admitted into it. The JSTatron Lakes, in the desert, 

 produce natron, or soda, a substitute for barilla. 



5. Minerals. Egypt appears not to be productive of any metals, except a small quantity of 

 iron ; but the mountains contain various kinds of marble, as porphyry, the celebrated verde an- 

 tico, or green marble, with white and dark spots, and many valuable gems, as the emerald, to- 

 paz, chalcedony, onyx, t&c. 



6. Climate. Rain rarely falls in Egypt, and only in light showers, for a few minutes ; thun- 

 der and lightning are equally unfrequent. During 8 months in the year, from March to Novem- 

 ber, the heat is almost insupportable to a European. 'J'he niliei- months are comparatively 

 icmporate. The southerly winds, which sometimes blow in Tgyjit, are, by the natives, called 



Gathcrinnr Dates. 



