62 Lieut-Col. Straton on the Subterranean 
of 36 inch cylinders, and 7 feet stroke, and one of 54 inch \ 
cylinder, and 8 feet stroke. These are employed in raising the 
water from the filter to the reservoir for distribution ; but as 
some parts of the city lie 150 feet above the level of the river, 
there are two smaller engines for forcing water from the general 
reservoir to a higher one to supply these places. 
The Grove, April 1820. 
Art. VIII . — Account of the Subterranean Temple of' Ipsam- 
hul. By Lieutena^^t-Colonel Straton. Communicated 
by the Author. 
i HE Temple of Ipsambul, (see Plate IV.) is situated on the 
right bank (going up) of the Nile, which in this part of its 
course runs from south-west to north-east. The side of the ri- 
ver is here formed by a chain of sandstone rock, and in an in- 
terval of this chain, there is a valley of sand, the sides of which 
are formed by two rocks. These rocks are smoothed each into 
the facade of a temple. One of these temples is sufficiently 
known. 
The valley runs in a steep ascent, from the river to the de- 
sert, until the sand becomes so high, as to be on a level with the 
summit of the rock on both sides. 
The sand drifting downwards towards the river, had entered 
the temple which we propose to describe, and completely block- 
ed up its entrance to many feet above the architrave, so 
as to conceal the greater part of the stupendous figures, of 
which a very considerable portion is now visible. The sand 
is so fine, that when put in motion, it resembles a fluid. 
While we were ascending, our footsteps occasioned such a 
current of it, as to give us reason to apprehend that the en- 
trance to the temple would be again blocked up. We owe the 
removal of the sand, the uncovering of the facade, and the en- 
trance to the temple, to the exertions of Messrs Belzoni and 
Beechey, employed for this purpose by the British consul Mr 
Salt. 
2 
