Note 607 — Chapter XX · EGYPTIANS.
Reading edition
It appears that the lake of Mœris is, at least in great part, a natural reservoir, though improved by art for the purposes wanted, and connected with the river by an artificial canal, sluices, etc. (Kenrick ad Herodot. ii, 149.)
“The lake still exists, of diminished magnitude, being about sixty miles in circumference, but the communication with the Nile has ceased.” Herodotus gives the circumference as three thousand six hundred stadia, = between four hundred and four hundred and fifty miles.
I incline to believe that there was more of the hand of man in it than Mr. Kenrick supposes, though doubtless the receptacle was natural.