a great river in Egypt, having its source in Abyssinia, or the Upper Ethiopia, in 12° north lat. It generally runs from south to north through Abyssinia into Egypt, and then continues its course north in one stream till it comes below Cairo to the Delta, where it divides; one branch discharging itself into the Mediterranean at Damietta, and another a hundred miles to the westward of it at Rosetta. There are great rejoicings every year when the Nile rises to a certain height, their future harvest depending upon it. The full height of the inundation, according to Pliny, is sixteen cubits; when it arises but to twelve or thirteen, a famine is dreaded; and when it exceeds sixteen, there is also danger apprehended. The river begins usually to rise in May or June, and is conveyed by reservoirs, cisterns, and canals, to the fields and gardens as they want it.

As to the Delta, it is all overflowed.