* This is evident from passage in the biography of Ahmosi- si-Abina, where it is stated that, after the taking of Avaris, the king passed into Asia in the year VI. The first few lines of the _Great Inscription of El-Kab_ seem to refer to four successive campaigns, i.e. four years of warfare up to the taking of Avaris, and to a fifth year spent in pursuing the Shepherds into Syria. ** The vulture of Nekhabit is used to indicate the south, while the urseus of Buto denotes the extreme north; the title Ra-Nekhnit, "Chief of Nekhnit," which is, hypothetically, supposed to refer to a judicial function, is none the less associated with the expression, "Nekhabit- Tekhnit," as an indication of the south, and, therefore, can be traced to the prehistoric epoch when Nekhabit was the primary designation of the south. [Illustration: 116.jpg THE WALLS OF EL-KAB SEEN FROM THE TOMB OF PIHIRI] Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a photograph by Emil Brugsch-Bey. [Illustration: 116a.jpg COLLECTION OF VASES] MODELLED AND PAINTED IN THE GRAND TEMPLE. PHILAE ISLAND. These nomes were cultivated, moreover, by a poor and sparse population. It needed a fortuitous combination of circumstances to relieve them from their poverty-stricken condition--either a war, which would bring into prominence their strategic positions; or the establishment of markets, such as those of Syene and Elephantine, where the commerce of neighbouring regions would naturally centre; or the erection, as at Ombos or Adfu, of a temple which would periodically attract a crowd of pilgrims. The principality of the Two Feathers comprised, besides Nekhabit, at least two such towns--Anit, on its northern boundary, and Nekhnit almost facing Nekhabit on the left bank of the river.* These three towns sometimes formed separate estates for as many independent lords:** even when united they constituted a fiefdom of but restricted area and of slender revenues, its chiefs ranking below those of the great feudal princes of Middle Egypt. The rulers of this fiefdom led an obscure existence during the whole period of the Memphite empire, and when at length Thebes gained the ascendency, they rallied to the latter and acknowledged her suzerainty. One of them, Sovkunakhiti, gained the favour of Sovkhotpu III. Sakhemuaztauiri, who granted him lands which made the fortune of his house; another of them, Ai, married Khonsu, one of the daughters of Sovkumsauf I. and his Queen Nubkhas, and it is possible that the misshapen pyramid of Qulah, the most southern in Egypt proper, was built for one of these royally connected personages. * Nekhnit is the Hieraconpolis of Greek and Roman times, Hait-Bauku, the modern name of which is Kom-el-Ahmar.