EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 141 
30th. Pafled by Gehel-el-Silfili^ the chained mountain, 
where, in antient times, a chain was pafled acrofs the Nile, 
Here are fome fculptures in the rock, which is of hard free- 
ftone, not of granite, as Norden mentions by miftake. 
Same day failed by Kum-Ombuy literally the heap or ruins of 
Ombos. Saw there the temple defcribed by the traveller juft 
mentioned. 
On the following day arrived at AJfuan^ the antient Syene. 
The remains of antiquity are here few, and fome feem rather 
of Roman than Egyptian fabric. Even the modern town is 
almoft in ruins, and contains very few houfes and inhabitants j 
it is chiefly fupported by a fmall duty upon dates, pafling from 
Ibrim to Kahira. Near Afluan may be fl;ill feen the tombs of 
the Mamluks who fled from Selim on his invafion of Egypt, 
They are now very ruinous. 
Some remains of antiquity are yet vifible in the ifle oppo- 
fite Syene, antiently called Elephantine *. The Arabs ufe one 
as an inclofure for cattle. A fl:atue of granite alfo appears, 
holding a lituus in each hand. It is remarkable that many of 
the prefent inhabitants of this ifland have the negro counte- 
nance, hair, and perfon. 
About three hours walk from Afluan is the cataraEl^ in 
Ar. Shelal, more properly rap'ides^ being merely an eafy defcent 
* Now Geziret-es-Sagy Clauftra Imperii Romani. Tac. 
of 
