Note 18 — Chapter VI

I saw the buffaloes at this employment, when I sailed up the river, on the 24th June, when coming to Rosetta. The buffalo is much larger than the ox; his bones are uncommonly large, even in comparison to the size of his body, which is very lean; his strength must be much greater than that of the ox. When he walks, he carries his head like the camel, his nose being nearly as high as his horns, and is on the whole a very dull looking animal; but, notwithstanding, he is capable of being trained to this work, as well, if not better, than the ox, for I saw them keeping a slow but steady pace at their work, without the immediate presence of a driver. The water is raised by a wheel, upon which buckets or earthen pitchers are fastened.

Since the publication of the first edition, I have seen the 5th vol. of Dr. Clarke's Travels in Egypt; and as his knowledge is more extensive than mine, I take the liberty of inserting an extract, upon the produce and manner of cultivating the Delta. Speaking of the method of watering the ground, he says, "The land thus watered, produces three crops in each year; the first of clover, the second of corn, and the third of rice. The rice grounds are inundated, from the time of sowing nearly to harvest. The seed is commonly cast upon the water, a practice twice alluded to in sacred Scripture. Balaam prophesied of Israel, Numb. xxiv. 7, that 'his seed should be in many waters.' In the directions given for charity, by the son of David, it is written, Eccles. xi. 1. 'Cast thy bread (i. e. bread corn) upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.' When the rice plants are about two feet high they are transplanted."—Vol. v. pp. 47, 48.