[155]And that probably, not only for the western waters, alone, but for the eastern also.
[156]Refer to Edrisi, p. 12, and 13; and to [page lx] above.
[157]There are many instances of this kind. In particular the Hindmend, or Heermund, a very considerable river of Sigistan, terminates in the lake of Zurrah (Aria Palus). The lake is about 100 miles long, and 20 broad, at the widest part; and is said to be fresh. The country it flows through, has all the characteristics of the alluvial tracts, at the mouths of great rivers; as Egypt, Bengal, &c. and is environed by mountains. This was the celebrated tract which is said to have formed the appanage of Rustum; and whose inhabitants, from the relief they afforded to Cyrus, were named Euergetæ by Alexander.
[158]Edrisi, p. 12. D’Herbelot, article Vankara.
[159]Mr. Bruce mentions eight cataracts of the Nile; of which, two only are below Sennar. (Vol. iii. p. 644, et seq.) M. D’Anville marks three within the same space. The principal cataracts are those formed by the abrupt descent from the upper level of Gojam, to the intermediate one of Sennar; one of them being 280 feet. (See page 647.)
[160]Mém. Acad. Inscrip. Vol. xxvi. p. 67. Azrac, or blue, is a term applied to certain rivers, by the Arabs, as Melas, or black, by the Greeks. It is applied in Abyssinia to the eastern branch of the Nile, seemingly in contradistinction to the Bahr Abiad, or White River; whose waters are muddy, whilst those of the other are remarkably clear.
[161]Edrisi, p. 14.
[162]Abulfeda, article Soudan.
[163]Edrisi, p. 14.
[164]Edrisi. p. 7.