DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 143 
gradually sterile, till it runs into a barren de- 
sert. The Pelusiac outlet of the Nile lies about 
twenty-three G. miles to the east of the Ta- 
nnic opening. The ancient city of Pelusium 
was situated in a marshy district, which, at an 
early period, was notorious for being the haunt of 
robbers. As it commanded the entrance of Egypt 
on the Syrian side, it was strongly fortified by the 
native Egyptian kings ; and, at the time when 
Egypt was conquered by Cambyses, a strong ram- 
part extended between this city and Heliopolis, 
over a space of nearly ninety miles. The extre- 
mity of the lake Menzaia* consists of a series of 
shallow and impervious marshes, similar to those 
jungles of reeds which are so frequent in eastern 
countries. The Arabian Farama was situated be- 
low Pelusium, at the mouth of the river, in N. lat. 
30° 48'. It was destroyed in the wars of the 
crusades. The Coptic name of this city is Ba- 
ram ; in w r hich appellation we may perhaps recog- 
nise the Paremphis of Stephanus Byzantinus. 
Catieh, the ancient Casium, situated under Mount 
Casius, at the distance of about twenty-nine G. 
miles from Pelusium, forms the extreme boundary 
of Egypt. The eastern division of the Sharkie is 
arid and sterile, having been gradually reduced to 
a desert by the neglect, and the consequent failure 
of the Pelusian branch of the Nile. At the most 
early period of history, this eastern branch appears 
