Ixxviii^ APPENDIX. 
instead of what happens, at present, the Nile ought to be kept up to nearly its 
highest pitch, a very long time after the Niger. 
Nor can I believe with P. Sicard and M. D'Anville, that the waters of 
Kauga and Bornou communicate widi the river of Egypt. P. Sicard, it 
appears, had learnt from a native of Bornou, that the river which passed the 
capital of his country, communicated with the Nile, during the time of the in- 
undation, by the medium of the Bahr Azrac, or Blue River.* M. D'Anville 
supposed this Nile to be meant for the river of Egypt ; and the communi- 
cation to be effected by the medium of the lake of Kauga ; and that it flowed 
into the White River opposite Sennar. But the space of several hundred 
miles, which intervenes between this lake and the White River, is very un- 
favourable to such an opinion ; even if the levels could be supposed to 
allow it. I rather conceive, that Sicard, not aware of the extensive applica- 
tion of the term Neel^ or Nile (which in Africa seems to mean any great 
river), concluded that the river of Egypt alone, could be intended; whereas, 
I have no doubt but that the river which passes near Kauga and Angimi, 
was meant: (no matter whether it joins the Niger, or otherwise ;) for Edrisi 
says, that Angimi, in Kanem, situated near the borders of Nubia, is only 
three journies from the Nile (implied to be that of the Negroes, that is, the 
Nigcr).f But Angimi must be more than 20 journies to the westward of 
Dongola, situated on the Egyptian Nile ; for Zagua is 20 journies from 
Dongola to the west,'^ and Angimi 6 from Zagua,^ in a direction, which 
at least, increases the distance. Besides, a river of the name of Nile, or 
Neel, passes by Kauga,|| which is 30 days to the south-westward of Don- 
gola : and apparently about six from Angimi. Doubtless, this is the Nile 
intended by the informant of P. Sicard ; and can have ' no relation to the 
Egyptian Nile, otherwise than in name. 
• Mem. Acad. Inscrip. Vol. xxvi. p. 67. Azrac, or blue, is a term applied to certain 
rivers, by the Arabs, as Mehis, or black, by the Greeks. It is applied in Abyssinia to the 
eastern branch of the Nile, seemingly in contradistinction to the Babr Abiad, or White 
River ; whose waters are muddy, whilst those of the other are remarkably clear. 
t Edrisi, p. 14. % Abulfeda, article Soudan. § Edrisi, p. 14. 
Jl Edrisi. p. 7. 
