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The third explanation, which is very much more plausible than either
of the others, is positively the furthest from the truth; for there is
really nothing in what it says, any more than in the other theories.
It is, that the inundation of the Nile is caused by the melting of
snows. Now, as the Nile flows out of Libya, through Ethiopia,
into Egypt, how is it possible that it can be formed of melted snow,
running, as it does, from the hottest regions of the world into cooler
countries? Many are the proofs whereby any one capable of reasoning on
the subject may be convinced that it is most unlikely this should be the
case. The first and strongest argument is furnished by the winds,
which always blow hot from these regions. The second is that rain and
frost are unknown there. Now whenever snow falls, it must of
necessity rain within five days;.so that, if there were snow, there
must be rain also in those parts. Thirdly, it is certain that the
natives of the country are black with the heat, that the kites and the
swallows remain there the whole year, and that the cranes, when they
fly from the rigours of a Scythian winter, flock thither to pass the
cold season. If then, in the country whence the Nile has its
source, or in that through which it flows, there fell ever so little
snow, it is absolutely impossible that any of these circumstances could
take place.
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