Since 1 mm. of mercury corresponds at the mean temperature of
observation (20° C.) to 11·4 metres of height, we have height
of Zubbo camp above Cairo observatory = 8·32 × 11·4 = 94·7, or
say 95 metres. Since the observatory is 33 metres above sea-level,
the camp at Zubbo is 128 metres above sea-level. Jordan’s altitude
for Bawitti, which probably lies at about the same level as Zubbo,
is 113 metres, and when it is remembered that the point of the
Survey’s observation lay not in Zubbo itself, but at the camp on
elevated ground some 10 or 12 metres above it, the results show a
very good agreement.
At Ain el Haiss three barometric observations were taken on different
days; the comparison of these with the Cairo records would place this
point 156 metres above sea-level. Jordan’s value is 122 metres,
the number of observations on which this figure is based not being
stated, it is difficult to say which of the two altitudes is the
more probable.
At the remaining camps within the oasis, and at the camps _en route_
between the oasis and Minia, corresponding observations were taken,
the number of comparisons with Cairo varying from two to seven at an
individual station. These observations being reduced and corrected by
comparison among themselves gave the levels of the different camps
with some degree of approximation to accuracy, and the altitudes of
intermediate points were found by interpolation based on barometric
readings. The resulting altitudes will be found on the map (Plate I);
where no altitudes have been taken by the Survey, the values given
by Ascherson on his map have been inserted.
The statistics relating to the oasis, and the methods of cleaning
out wells, are based on information supplied by the Government
officials at Bawitti, and may be taken as fairly reliable. The
particulars regarding water-supply are of course based mainly on
direct observation during the survey of the villages.
The botany of the oasis having been fully studied by Ascherson[13]
no attempt was made by the Survey to collect or describe the plants
met with. The abundant growths of the beautiful maiden-hair fern
(_Adiantum Capillus Veneris_)[14] will not, however, fail to strike
even the casual visitor to the old Roman aqueducts, which still
serve as the principal water-channels of the oasis. Nor were the
animals of the oasis made the subject of any detailed observations,
although the existence of several of the species of lizards and snakes
common to the Nile Valley was recorded, and specimens collected when
easily obtainable.
Baharia is not rich in archæological remains, and, with few
exceptions, even those existing were not examined by the Survey,
though the positions of all ruins met with during the work were
mapped. In a later chapter will be found a connected though brief
account of all the antiquities noted, the publications of previous
authors being referred to wherever the descriptions cannot be given
from personal observations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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