Van Sleb, who visited Egypt several times in the 17th century, says some of the people in his time thought it Avas digged by spirits ; and he adds, " I am almost inclined to believe it, for I cannot conceive how man can compass so wonderful a work." Some writers believe this well to have been the work of a more scientific people than any of the comparatively modern possessors of Egypt in other words, they think it the production of the same people that built the Pyramids, and the unrivalled monuments of Thebes, Dendarah, and Ebsamboul. " Lastly, Cairo is supposed by others, to occupy the site of Egyptian Babylon, and this well is considered by them as one of the remains of the ancient city. Amidst this variety of opinion respecting its origin, it is certain that it is every way worthy of the ancient mechanics of Egypt, and in its magnitude exhibits one of the prominent features which characterize all their known productions. "Why was this well made oblong ? Its designer certainly had his reasons for it,.

May not this form have been intended to light more perfectly ihe interior, by sooner receiving and longer retaining the rays of the sun? With what point of the compass its longest sides coincide, has not, that we are aware, been recorded. Should they prove to be in the direction of the rising and setting sun, the reason suggested may possibly bethe true one."

PRELIMINARY ESSAY. 5

To complete this notice of wells, it may be added that in our own country, ac- " From the cording to Mr. Flint, ancient wells have been found. highest point on the Ohio, to St. Charles on the Missouri, and far up the Upper Mississippi and Missouri, the more the country is explored and peopled, and the more its surface is penetrated, not only are there more mounds brought to view, but more incontestible marks of a numerous population.