EGYPT, AND SYlElIA. 129 
bones. The ciellngs of the chambers have been plaiftered and 
coloured. Perhaps the antient Egyptians had a cuftom, not 
unknown to other Oriental nations, of annual vifits to the 
dead*; and thefe chambers might be conftrudted for the recep- 
tion of the relations on thofe occafions. 
The neighbourhood of Achmim abounds with fycamores. 
This kind of fycamore, it is well known, bears a fmall dry 
fig, of a yellowifh colour, adhering to the trunk of the tree. 
Many gardens are alfo feen, in which grow date and other 
trees. 
I ith Odober, arrived at Girgi, formerly the capital of Upper 
Egypt, now declining. There is a large market-place, with 
fhops in abundance. At Menlhie, antient Ptolemais, and at 
Girgi, obferved feveral large pieces of granite, feemingly antique 
mill-ftones. They are about fix feet in diameter, and nearly 
three feet thick, with a perforation of one foot fquare in the 
centre, from which waving radii, about an inch deep, pafs to 
the circumference. 
The^Senjiak, or Emir-es-Sa'id, pafles half the year at Girgi, as 
already mentioned. His office is efteemed the third in import- 
ance, and is now filled by Soliman Bey, an honeft and refpedt- 
- able character. 
• That cuftom is ftill retained atDaraiatt, notwithftanding the purer precepts 
of Iflamifm. 
s 15th 
