[Footnote 308:  No wonder, as Messr is the name by which Egypt is known to the Arabs.—­E.]

[Footnote 309:  More properly Al Rif, which name more particularly belongs to part of Lower Egypt.—­Ast.]

[Footnote 310:  This is erroneous, as the Nile only overflows once yearly.—­E.]

The 18th of April we fastened ourselves to a shoal about four leagues past Kossir, and set sail from thence at noon.  The 19th, about half an hour past eight o’clock, while proceeding with fine weather, we were suddenly taken aback by a fierce gust at N.N.W. which obliged us to take shelter in an island called Suffange-al-bahar[311] or Saffanj-al-bahr, losing 4 or 5 leagues of way that we had already advanced.  The name given to this island means in the Arabic a sea-sponge.  It is 13 leagues beyond Al Kossir, in lat. 27 deg.  N. being in length about two leagues by about a quarter in breadth, all of sand without trees or water.  Its harbour is good in all weathers; but upon the main land the number of bays, ports, and harbours about this place are wonderful.  The best channel here is between the island, and the main, along the coast of the continent, as on the side next the island there are some shoals.  Likewise in the northern entry to this port there are other shoals which need not be feared in coming in by day, and in the southern entrance there is a large rock in the very middle.  The 20th at sunset we were about six leagues beyond this island of Safanj-al-bahr.  From which island to a sandy, point about 1-1/2 league beyond, the coast trends N.N.W. and S.S.E. and from this point forwards to the end of the six leagues, the coast winds inwards to landwards forming a large bay, within which are many islands, ports, creeks, bays, and notable harbours.  The 21st by day we were fast to the shore of an island called Sheduam, and the wind being calm, we rowed along the coast of the island, which, opposite to Arabia or the east side, is high and craggy, all of hard rock, three leagues long and two broad.  This island is 20 leagues beyond Al Kossir, having no water nor any trees.  It is between the two coasts of Arabia and Egypt, being five leagues from either.  Beyond it to the north-west are three small low islands with shoals among them.  An hour after sunset, we were upon the north cape or point of this island, whence we crossed towards the Arabian coast[312], and having no wind we took to our oars.  Within a little it began to blow fair from the S.E. and we set sail steering N.W.  At eleven next morning, we were upon the coast of the Stony Arabia, and soon sailed along its shore, entering two hours before sunset into the port Toro or Al Tor, which may be seen front the island of Sheduam, distant 12 leagues, bearing N. by W. and S. by E.

[Footnote 311:  Safanj-al-Bahr.  In Arabic Safanj, Sofinj and Isfanj, all signify Sponge, which is obviously derived from the Arabic word.—­Ast.]