and the late wars, have annihilated them. The ancient 
and magnificent sarcophagus covered with hierogly- 
phics, of which travellers also make mention, has dis- 
appeared, it has been conveyed to England* 
As the provisions come from distant countries, the 
prices of them are raised in proportion above those of 
the countries in Africa which I visited. A fowl costs a 
Turkish piastre, a pair of pigeons 30 paras, an oka of 
mutton 40 paras, an oka of bread 10 paras, an oka of 
oil 60 paras, and an oka of butter 115 paras. The in- 
stitute of Egypt examined the difference of the weights, 
measures, and money, and the results were that the oka 
is equal to 40 ounces, 235 grains French weight; that 
4f Turkish piastres, of 40 paras each, are equivalent 
to a Spanish piastre; and that ten piastres, ten paras, are 
worth a Venetian gold sequin. 
The provisions are commonly of a good quality, but 
the stagnated water in the cisterns produces, towards 
the end of the year, an innumerable swarm of insects. 
This circumstance obliges them to purify it by artificial 
means, to render it drinkable. 
The water was conveyed to Alexandria by means of 
a canal, that was filled by the overflowing of the Is'ile y 
which river it joins at a short distance from Rahmanich, 
and is fourteen leagues in length in a straight line; but 
this canal was cut through by order of Elfi Bey near 
Damanhour, and the city has now no other than the 
briny water of some wells, or that which is brought by 
sea in boats. 
It is known that the ancient straits of Alexandria 
were famous as one of the wonders of the world, being 
situated between the continent and an island at a short 
