184 PYRAMIDS OF DJIZA. 
CHAP. It is of a coarse kind ; and contains minute 
" I fragments of terra cottn. Grohert says it does 
not differ from the mortar now in use'. Sfiaw 
believed it to consist of sand, wood ashes, and 
lime^ 
Labours of Thc Freiidi had been very assiduous in their 
Ari^'^^'"''' researches among these buildings. They even 
attempted to open the smallest of the three prin- 
cipal Pyramids ; and having effected a very 
considerable chasm in one of its sides, have left 
this mark behind them, as an everlasting testi- 
mony o\ their curiosity and zeal. The landing 
of our army in Egypt put a stop to their labour. 
Had it not been for this circumstance, the interior 
of that mysterious monument would probably 
be now submitted to the inquiry which has long 
been an object among literary men. 
We were employed for a considerable time in 
a very useless manner, by endeavouring to 
measure the height of the greater pyramid. 
This we endeavoured to effect, by extending a 
small cord from the summit to thfc base, along 
the angles formed by the inclination of its 
(1) See De/ion's Voyage, as published by Peltier, torn. II. p. 80. 
Jppend. Lond. 1802. 
(2) Sec 5Aau.''5 Travels, p. 3G8. also p. 206. Lond. 1757. 
