or ESNA, a town in upper Egypt, seated upon the Nile, believed by some authors to be the ancient Syene, though others say the ruins of it are still to be seen near Aswan. It is so near the cataracts of the Nile, that they may be heard from thence. It contains several monuments of antiquity; and among the rest an ancient Egyptian temple, pretty entire, all painted throughout, except in some places that are effaced by time. The columns are full of hieroglyphic figures. This superb structure is now made use of for a stable, wherein they put oxen, camels, and goats. A little way from thence are the ruins of an ancient nunnery, said to be built by St Helena, surrounded with tombs.—Asna is the principal town in these parts, and the inhabitants are rich in corn and cattle. They drive a considerable trade into Lower Egypt and Nubia, by means of the Nile, and also by the caravans that pass over the desert. The inhabitants are all Arabs, except about 200 Copts, the ancient inhabitants, and a fort of Christians. They are under the government of the Turks, who have a cadi, and the Arabs have two sheriffs of their own nation. E. Long. 31. 40. N. Lat. 33. 15.