We have heard the most diverse and dogmatic opinions as to the feasibility of restoring the oases to their supposed former prosperity. For my part, I do not think that there is the slightest doubt that the total discharge of water could be very much increased, though to what extent it is impossible to say with the information at present available. One must consider the vast areas under which the water-bearing sandstones are known to extend, and the comparatively small extent of country over which the existing wells occur; that as yet the deepest bores have only penetrated the water-bearing beds to a depth of 122 metres; that the existing total discharge is mostly made up of insignificant flows from a great number of ancient and comparatively shallow wells, which for centuries have been subject to gradual decay; that so far as observed the flows increase in volume as deeper beds are struck; and that it might be possible to use artificial means of lifting the water to the surface, especially in districts lying above the level to which the artesian water will rise unaided. The extent to which the water-supply could be profitably augmented is, however, quite another question, and one depending on a great number of at present indeterminable factors. According to local tradition, the waters of the Kharga wells come directly from the Nile through subterranean passages under the intervening plateaux, and the experience of an Arab trader is frequently related in support of this idea. The Bedawi in question, while engaged in filling his water-skins on the banks of the Nile, preparatory to setting out across the desert to the oasis, let fall his ‘tarbush,’ which was speedily engulfed in an eddy of the river. Although much annoyed at the time, our friend soon forgot the incident, until a few days later, when he was refreshing himself after his journey at a well in the neighbourhood of Beris, the identical piece of head-gear was borne up from its depths! Mr. Patterson, whose knowledge of the folklore of the inhabitants is unique, recently related to me the following characteristic story: The natives of Beris, as the result of opening a long sanded-up well, obtained a very large flow of water. So terrified were they at the magnitude of the discharge—imagining, indeed, that they had tapped the Nile—that a deputation was hastily despatched to the Governor of Assiut, with profuse apologies for the damage done to the river. Needless to say, the Governor was somewhat taken aback, but realizing the solemnity of the mission, magnanimously informed its members that the waters of the Nile were so abundant that they might without fear take all they required.