DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 
159 
a high state of preservation, still exist. Two of 
these, one of which is the largest of the three, are 
dedicated to Isis ; the third seems to have been 
consecrated to Typhon. * The execution of the 
sculptures in these temples exhibits a degree of 
purity and delicacy, which the Egyptians seldom 
attained. The principal subjects represented in 
the porticos are of an astronomical nature. The 
inhabitants of ancient Tentyra are famous for 
their enmity to the crocodile, over which they 
exhibited a power similar to that of the Psylli over 
serpents. How they medicated themselves against 
this terrible animal is unknown ; but that they pos- 
sessed this power can hardly be doubted, as it was 
frequently displayed at public exhibitions in the 
Roman capital, t Pliny relates, that the hardy 
Tentyrite was accustomed to pursue the crocodile 
into the recesses of the river, mount on his scaly 
back, fix a spur of wood between his jaws, and 
with this rude bridle conduct him to the shore, 
where the monster, terrified at his voice, disgorged 
for burial the bodies of those whom he had de- 
voured, t When this place was visited by Sonni- 
ni, the Arabian governor, unlike the people of the 
* Ripaud's Report on the Antiquities of Upper Egypt, 
p. 49- 
y Strabo a Casaub. p. 11 69. 
% Plin, Nat. Hist. 1. viii. c. 25. 
