unusual increase of the river, overflowed the fields and pastures, they were seen hurrying to the spot, on foot or in boats, to rescue the animals and to remove them to the high grounds above the reach of the inundation. . . . And though some suppose the inundation does not now attain the same height as of old, those who have lived in the country have frequently seen the villages of the Delta standing, as Herodotus describes them, like islands in the Ægean Sea, with the same scenes of rescuing the cattle from the water.” According to Pliny, “a proper inundation is of 16 cubits . . . in 12 cubits the country suffers from famine, and feels a deficiency even in 13; 14 causes joy, 15 scarcity, 16 delight; the greatest rise of the river to this period was of 18 cubits”.
When the river rose very high in the days of the Pharaohs, “the lives and property of the inhabitants”, says Wilkinson, “were endangered”; In some villages the houses collapsed. Hence the legend that Ra sought to destroy his enemies among mankind.
The Inundation is at its height by the end of September, and continues stationary for about a month. Not until the end of September does the river resume normal proportions. November is the month for sowing; the harvest is reaped in Upper Egypt by March and in Lower Egypt by April.
It was believed by the ancient agriculturists that the tears of Isis caused the river to increase In volume. When Sirius rose before dawn about the middle of July it was identified with the goddess. In the sun-cult legend this star is Hathor, “the eye of Ra”, who comes to slaughter mankind. There are evidences that human sacrifices were offered to the sun god at this period.
E. W. Lane, in his Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, tells that the night of 17 June is called “Leylet-
