The Nile Barrage.— One of the greatest wonders of modern times, rivaling the Pyra mids of the ancients, is the Nile Barrage. Thanks to Lord Cromer and Lord Kitchener, the stupendous work at Assouan and Assiut of taming the Nile, is an accomplished fact. Egypt is no more subject to the caprices of the Nile. The precious fertilizing fluid coming down from , equatorial Africa by way of Bahr-el-Ghazal and Bahr-el-Abyad are halted and stored in an im mense reservoir 200 miles long, with, since 1912, a holding capacity of 9,000,000 cubic feet. By the giving of perpetual irrigation two or three crops may be raised annually, and the productivity of the soil is increased by 50 per cent. Millions of acres on both sides. of the river have been reclaimed. Other works have been constructed within the past 10 years, show ing. equally marvelous results. Egypt's pros perity always depended upon the Nile. The °seven year famine' recorded in Scripture was the result of insufficient irrigation, and there is an earlier instance of a similar character re corded in hieroglyphics on the rocks of Assouan. After many centuries of inertness and decay Egypt lifts up her head and promises to become again the storehouse of the East.
Oases. The fertile spots Egypt to the deserts of Africa are found in t along the hollow region of the Libyan Desert, parallel to the general direction of the valley of the Nile, and above 80 miles west of it. The Great Oasis or Wah-el-Khargeh, lies immediately west of the Thebaid, and has a length of 100 miles. About 50 miles west of the northern extremity of this oasis lies the Wah-el-Dakhileh 24 miles long and 10 miles broad. West by south from the Fayum the date groves of the Little Oasis, or Wah-el-Baharieh, display their unusual ver dure. In this fertile spot artesian wells are numerous and some of ancient construction have been discovered which have a depth exceeding 400 feet. On the road between this oasis and that of El Dakhileh, inclining to the west, occurs half way the Wah-el-Farif rah of small extent. West of the Fayum and about 200 miles from the Nile, lies the oasis of Siwah. The inhabitants of this secluded spot, though tributary to Egypt, are in language and manners wholly Libyan. The region of the oases termi nates toward the north in the desert of the Natron lakes. See 0Asis.
Fauna.— Owing to the absence of forests in Egypt there are few wild animals, the principal species being the fox, jackal, hyena, the wild ass, the ibex in the Red Sea hills and several kinds of antelope. The chief domestic animals are camels, horses, asses, horned cattle and i sheep. The hippopotamus is no longer found in
Egypt, though it is met with in the Nile above the cataracts and the crocodile is found in Upper Egypt. Among the birds are three species of vultures (one of which is very large, individ uals sometimes measuring eight feet across the wings), eagles, falcons, hawks, buzzards, kites, crows, linnets, larks, sparrows and the beautiful hoopoe, which is regarded with superstitious reverence. Pigeons, quail and various kinds of poultry are very abundant and numerous aquatic birds and pelicans. The ostrich is found in the deserts. Among the reptiles are the horned viper (cerastes) and the asp (naja haja), both poisonous. Fishes abound in the Nile and lakes and furnish a favorite article of food. Water fowl are plentiful and were anciently prepared and salted like fish. The sacred ibis is still a regular visitor during the inundation and the pelican is found in the northern lagoons. Among the countless insects are the sacred beetle (Ateuchus sacer) and the migratory locust.
Flora.—The few trees found in Egypt in clude the date-palm, tamarisk, sycamore, Christ's thorn, carob and two species of acacia. Many trees have been planted in recent times, espe cially about Cairo, such as the lebbek (Albizzia Lebbek) and the eucalyptus. The papyrus plant, once so important, is now to be found only in one or two spots. A paper was manufactured from it, which was supplied to all the ancient world. Boats, baskets, cords and shoes were also made from it. Wine was abundantly pro duced in ancient Egypt and the sculptures bear ample testimony to the extent to which the an cient Egyptians indulged in wine and beer or other intoxicating beverages. The vine is still much cultivated, but little or no wine is made, as it can easily be imported. The following plants are sown immediately after the• inundation be gins to subside and are harvested three or four months later: wheat, barley, beans, peas, lentils, vetches, lupins, clover, flax, lettuce, hemp, cori ander, poppies, tobacco, watermelons and cucum bers. The following plants are raised in summer chiefly by means of artificial irrigation : durra, maize, onions, henna, sugar-cane, cotton, coffee, indigo and madder. Several varieties of dates and grapes are the most common, but other fruits such as figs, pomegranates, apricots, peaches, oranges, lemons, citrons, bananas, mul berries and olives are plentiful. The lotus or water-lily is the chief species of flower found in Egypt. There is a high coarse grass called halfa and various kinds of reed and canes.