410 
pliitt's katural history 
[Book Y. 
CHAP. 10. — THE RIYER NILE. 
The sources of tlie Nile^ are unascertained, and, travelling 
as it does for an immense distance through deserts and burn- 
ing sands, it is onlj known to us by common report, having 
neither experienced the vicissitudes of warfare, nor been 
visited by those arms which have so effectually explored all 
other regions. It rises, so far indeed as King Juba was 
enabled to ascertain, in a mountain^ of Lower Mauritania, 
not far from the ocean ; immediately after which it forms a 
lake of standing water, which bears the name of Nilides^. 
In this lake are found the several kinds of fish known by 
the names of alabeta^, coracinus, and silurus ; a crocodile 
also was brought thence as a proof that this really is the 
Nile, and was consecrated by Juba himself in the temple of 
Isis at Csesarea^, where it may be seen at the present day. 
In addition to these facts, it has been observed that the 
waters of the Nile rise in the same proportion in which the 
subsequent distribution of a part of the overflow of the 'NUe. The sup- 
position that it was formed by artificial means is now pretty generally 
exploded, and it is regarded as of natural formation. It was situate in 
the nome of Arsinoites or CrocodilopoHtes. Its length seems to be over- 
stated by our author, as at the present day it is only thirty miles in 
length and five in breadth at the widest part. 
^ And it is generally supposed that they are so up to the present day. 
The ethnographer Jablonski is of opinion that this river derives its name 
from the Coptish word tneialei " to rise at stated times." Servius, the 
commentator on Yirgil, says that it is derived from the two Grreek words 
vea tXvs "fresh mud," in allusion to the fresh mud or sh'me which it 
leaves after each inundation. Singularly enough, Champollion prefers 
this silly etymology to that suggested by Jablonski. 
2 An interesting disquisition on the probable sources of the Nile, as 
viewed by the ancients, is to be found in the Ninth Book of Lucan's 
Pharsaha. The Indian word " nilas^^^ *' black," has also been suggested 
as its possible origin. 
3 What spot is meant under this name, if indeed it is anything more 
than the creation of fancy, it is impossible to ascertain with any degree 
of precision. It is possible however that the ancients may have had 
some knowledge of Xake Tchad, and the Mountains of the Moon, or 
Djebel-Eumri, though at the same time it is more than doubtful that 
the Nile has its source in either of those locahties, the former especially. 
^ Perhaps a kind of river lamprey. As to the Coracinus, see B. is. 
c. 24, 32, and B. xxxii. c. 19, 24, 34, 44, and 63 ; and as to tke Silurus, 
B. ix. e. 17, 25, and B. xxxii. c. 31, 36, 40, 43, 44, &c. 
* The modem Yacur in Northern Africa. 
