DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6551#0070
VOYAGE INTO UPPER EGYFf.
41
river on a bundle of rushes; and I was informed, that
two or three people often pass over together in this
way.
] Si//. —Thermometer 68°. We left Abou Simbel on
the western bank, and, soon after, Faras, containing
several antient remains, on the eastern, which is well
cultivated ; and, having passed some ruins and the village
of Ougaguin on the western shore, arrived at Wady Haifa.
19th. — Thermometer 79°. Early in the morning,
I went up in a small boat for three or four miles;
and, disembarking on the western bank, walked to
Abouseir, through desert plains of yellow sand, here
and there varied by mountain ranges of different colours,
composed of red, white, and black rocks. We passed
two small brick buildings, intended probably for khans;
and near them killed a very large snake, of which the
people were much afraid. They said, that it was ex-
tremely venomous, and had the power of springing
forward, when attacked, to a great distance. Abousier
is a rocky promontory, about one hundred feet high,
immediately over the rapids. They are composed of
black rocks, with patches of white sand, interspersed with
a few trees and bushes, and extend to some distance up
the river, which is here very broad. The promontory is
inscribed with the names of many travellers ; and affords
a very extensive view to the southward over Batn El
Hadjar, and to the northward, beyond Wady Haifa. The
country is entirely desolate, excepting about the village
of Wady Haifa, which is situated in a plain, and con-
tains a barrack and a large magazine or storehouse. A
41
river on a bundle of rushes; and I was informed, that
two or three people often pass over together in this
way.
] Si//. —Thermometer 68°. We left Abou Simbel on
the western bank, and, soon after, Faras, containing
several antient remains, on the eastern, which is well
cultivated ; and, having passed some ruins and the village
of Ougaguin on the western shore, arrived at Wady Haifa.
19th. — Thermometer 79°. Early in the morning,
I went up in a small boat for three or four miles;
and, disembarking on the western bank, walked to
Abouseir, through desert plains of yellow sand, here
and there varied by mountain ranges of different colours,
composed of red, white, and black rocks. We passed
two small brick buildings, intended probably for khans;
and near them killed a very large snake, of which the
people were much afraid. They said, that it was ex-
tremely venomous, and had the power of springing
forward, when attacked, to a great distance. Abousier
is a rocky promontory, about one hundred feet high,
immediately over the rapids. They are composed of
black rocks, with patches of white sand, interspersed with
a few trees and bushes, and extend to some distance up
the river, which is here very broad. The promontory is
inscribed with the names of many travellers ; and affords
a very extensive view to the southward over Batn El
Hadjar, and to the northward, beyond Wady Haifa. The
country is entirely desolate, excepting about the village
of Wady Haifa, which is situated in a plain, and con-
tains a barrack and a large magazine or storehouse. A