Syenite, a hard crystalline rock, resembling granite, and well adapted for monuments. It is not known in Britain, but occurs in many parts of Europe and America, as well as at the place to which it owes its name.
[Note 78] p. 362.—Philæ.
Philæ has recently been a centre of attention in connection with the Egyptian waterworks. See Sir Benjamin Baker, “Nile Reservoirs and Philæ”, Nineteenth Century, xxxv. (1894), pp. 863-72; J. P. Mahaffy, “The Devastation of Nubia”, pp. 1013-18; Frank Dillon, “The Submergence of Philæ”, pp. 1019-25; H. D. Pearsall, “The Nile Reservoirs”, Scottish Geographical Magazine (1895, August), pp. 393-402.
[Note 79] p. 370.—Government of Egypt.
The reader must bear in mind that Egypt has had a somewhat complex political history since Brehm wrote.
A JOURNEY IN SIBERIA.
[Note 80] p. 397.—Archar Sheep.
Archar or arkal is the Kirghiz name for the Mongolian argali (Ovis ammon). The animal is almost as large as a donkey, has enormous horns and short coarse hair. It is said to be now restricted to Northern Mongolia, and some districts of Southern Siberia. The Tibetan argali (Ovis hodgsoni) is closely allied. See Sir V. Brooke, Proc. Zoological Society, 1875.
[Note 81] p. 412.—Splenic Fever.
Anthrax or splenic fever is a rapidly fatal disease due to a microbe, Bacillus anthracis. This was demonstrated by Koch, and corroborated by Pasteur. The latter discovered how to attenuate the virus, and secure immunity by inoculation. Cattle, sheep, and reindeer are among the commonest victims; but, as the narrative shows, man himself is not exempt.