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stances, to excavate in progress of time a channel as large as that of the Dardanelles. But, on the other hand, it is highly improbable that such an operation would take place in the line that has been indicated, and through the kind of soil of which it is composed. More to the east such a line and soil may possibly be found. More to the west, the only channel would be that of the Long Valley. But what would be the consequence if such a channel were adopted? In the low state of the Nile, salt water would deluge the plains of Egypt; and during a high flood of the Nile its water would flow back through the same channel into the Bed Sea; and during the precise periods when the fresh and salt water were upon a level, it is easy to conceive how in a single day a bar might be thrown up that would close the communication for ages. Upon the whole, it is most reasonable to suppose that such a channel formerly existed, and that it was closed and re-established repeat­edly before it was finally stopped, as we now find it.

Having stated the reasons why it would not be expe­dient to form a navigable channel of still water with locks between the two seas, or dependant on the Nile; and why we could not trust to the operations of nature excavating and maintaining an uncontrollable channel for itself; we may now proceed to consider the best line for an artificial controllable navigable channel or salt water river between the two seas.

It may be admitted, that, from the north point of the Gulph of Suez, and for a distance of ten or twelve miles northward, there is little choice, as the high land stated to exist on either side will necessarily confine any navigable channel nearly to the line of the ancient canal; nor do we find, in that distance, any difficulty in the way. One thousand years have elapsed since this portion of the

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