The whole intermediate space between the lake Moeris and Gizeh, is so full of pyramids, mausoleums, temples, and subterraneous catacombs, that it may be viewed as one immense cemetery; and it is the conjecture of M. Pauw, that the grand entrance to the whole of the interior communications may be found under the Temple of Serapis, which is placed by Strabo to the west of Memphis. It is worthy of remark that, in all the pyramids which have been opened, the entrance has been uniformly found in the centre of the northern front, and the passages invariably proceeding in a downward sloping direction, at an angle of 26 or 27 degrees; circumstances which seem to indicate some specific design; and the observation of the stars crossing the mouth of these lengthened tubes, is supposed to have been a principal object of this arrangement. Mr Caviglia next directed his attention to the numerous ruined edifices and tumuli which are scattered around the pyramids, and along the left bank of the Nile, as far as the eye can reach. They were generally found to contain several chambers, variously disposed, but similarly decorated with bas-reliefs and paintings, and in all of them were found fragments of bitumen, human bones, and great quantities of mummy cloth. In one or another of these apartments, was always found a shaft or well, from the bottom of which proceeded a narrow passage, conducting to a subterranean chamber; and in one of these was discovered a plain but highly finished sarcophagus, without a lid, of the same dimensions, nearly, as that which is seen in the King's chamber in the Great Pyramid. Many of the paintings in bas-relief represented persons engaged in the different pursuits of agriculture, and in various other occupations. The figures of the buds and animals are executed in a manner which discovers considerable skill in the art of drawing; and the colouring in many of the chambers retained all its original freshness. The human figures are generally ill-proportioned, but the actions in which they are engaged are very intelligibly expressed; and several fragments of statues have been collected which give a higher idea of Egyptian sculpture than has hitherto been entertained. But the excavations around the Sphinx, which Mr Caviglia conducted with the most indefatigable perseverance, may be regarded as the most interesting of his labours, and were, at least, followed by the most abundant discoveries of Egyptian antiquities. The French savans appear to have done nothing more than uncover the back of this stupendous piece of sculpture; and, if they attempted any other excavations, cannot possibly have proceeded far in their work, as the top of the wall, which has now been discovered, is not above three feet below the level of the sand. Mr Caviglia first begun to open a deep trench on the left or north side, near the shoulder of the figure; but, though this opening was about 20 feet wide at the top, and only 3 at the bottom, it soon became hazardous for the workmen to continue their operations, in consequence of the sand being driven back by the wind. He proceeded, therefore, to carry on his excavations in the front; and, after labouring for the space of nearly four months, with the assistance of from C0 to 100 persons every day, he succeeded in laying open the whole figure to its base. This wonderful production of ancient art is now ascertained to be cut out of the solid rock on which it had been supposed merely to rest; and though, in digging the first trench, it clearly appeared that the external surface of the body below was composed of irregular-shaped stones, carefully built, and covered with red paint, yet this portion of masonry is confined to certain projecting ledges, which are supposed to have been added by the Romans, and to have been intended for the lines of the mantle or dress. The body is in a cumbent posture; and the paws (which are formed of masonry) stretch out 50 feet in advance. Fragments of its enormous beard are seen resting under its chin; and there is a hole in the head, in which the priests are supposed to have concealed themselves, for the purpose of imposing their oracles upon the deluded people. The face, which is of the negro cast, is considerably decayed, but still presents a mild and even a sublime expression." The sphinx now appears surrounded with a wall (3), at the distance of 30 feet, the top of which is only three feet below the level of the surrounding sand, so as to prove, beyond a doubt, that the ground around it is not higher now than formerly. This wall is built of unbaked bricks, but cased with stone on the inside. From this wall there is a descent in front to the large area, by means of two flights of steps, one of 32 and the other of 14 steps (5, 6); and, upon the lower platform, between these flights, are the remains of two altars (1, 2) covered with Greek inscriptions, considerably defaced. In the centre, between the outstretched paws of the Sphinx, stands a stone platform or temple (7), on which was found a large block of granite, 14 feet high, 7 broad, and 2 thick. The face of this stone fronting the east is embellished with sculpture in bas-relief, with a long inscription in hieroglyphics beneath, and the whole design covered at the top by the sacred globe, serpent, and wings. Two other tables of calcareous stone, placed on each side of the last mentioned, and similarly ornamented, are supposed to have formed part of a temple; one of these was still remaining in its place, and the fragments of the other, which had been thrown down, are now in the British Museum. There were found several fragments of rudely sculptured lions, and particularly a small figure of that animal of the finest workmanship, at the entrance of the temple, with its eyes directed towards the sphinx. On the side of the left or northern paw of the great sphinx were discovered several inscriptions in Greek characters; and one, particularly on the second digit, in pretty deep characters, with the signature of Arrianos, which has been copied and restored with much apparent correctness, by our distinguished countryman Dr Thomas Young. On the digits of the southern paw, were found only a few expressions in honour of Harpocrates, Mars, Hermes, and some of the Roman Emperors. After the most unremitting exertions, for the space of ten months, Mr Caviglia was seized with an attack of ophthalmia, which obliged him to suspend his labours and return to Alexandria. The expence incurred by his various operations is said to have amounted to about 18,000 piastres, part of which was contributed by Mr Salt, and a few other gentlemen; but with the explicit understanding that, whatever antiquities might be discovered, should be left at the entire disposal of Mr Caviglia. This gentlemen, on his part, has "generously requested that every thing might be sent to the British Museum, as a testimony of his attachment to that country, under the protection of whose flag he had for many years navigated the ocean *." Quarterly Review, ART. XVIII.-Observations on the Arctic and Skua Gulls of British Ornithologists. By the Reverend JOHN FLEMING, D.D. F.R.S. Edin. M.W.S. Communicated by the Author. THE two species of gulls described by Linnæus, in the twelfth edition of his Systema Naturæ, under the trivial names Parasiticus and Cataractes, differ from the other birds of the genus with which they are associateel, in the peculiar structure of their bills, and in the singularity of their manners. While the upper mandible in the common gulls may be regarded as simple, it presents a more complicated structure in the species to which we have now referred. In these, it consists of two pieces, the most remarkable of which is softer than the other, and forms a corneous plate, situated on the upper side, and extending forwards from the base nearly two-thirds of the whole length of the mandible, without being extended to the margin on either side. This plate has been compared to the cere, or thick coloured skin, observed at the base of the bill of hawks and eagles, from which, however, it differs, in not reaching to the gape on each side, and in being of a firmer consistence. The nostrils are situated on the inferior margin of this plate, near its distal extremity. When in pursuit of food, or engaged in defending their nests, these birds far excel the other gulls in the rapidity of their flight. They live on fish, which they seldom obtain directly by means of their own industry. They watch attentively the efforts of the other gulls while fishing, and when they perceive any of these to have been successful, they instantly fly towards them; and, by an unremitting pursuit, compel them reluctantly to yield the prize. Inattentive observers have mistaken the vomited matter for excrement, and have concluded that they live on the dung of their weaker neighbours. The other gulls are remarkable for their shyness and timidity at all seasons. These, on the contrary, are bold and vigorous, especially during the breeding season, and will not hesitate to attack birds of prey, dogs, or men, when approaching their young. The claw of the inner toe is more arched than in the VOL. I. NO. I, JUNE 1819. other gulls. This character, viewed in connection with its predatory habits, has procured for the largest species the name of Sea Eagle. The feathers of these birds have a very strong smell, not unlike those belonging to the petrels. There is no difference of plumage between the sexes. The young birds more nearly resemble the adult ones in the colour of their plumage than those pertaining to the species of true gulls. With characters so very different from the true gulls, it is necessary to consider these as constituting a distinct genus. Willoughby, in his Ornithologia, p. 22, when enumerating the British birds, places the Cataractes, the species which has been longest known to naturalists, as a genus distinct from the gulls and terns. In the body of his work, however, p. 265, he inserts it in the section of the larger gulls, of a brown or grey colour. Brisson, in his Ornithologie, afterwards adopted the same genus, under the denomination Stercoraire. Buffon named it Labbe; and more recently Illiger has termed it Lestris. As Willoughby was the first ornithologist who gave an accurate description of any of the species, and indicated the propriety of placing the one known to him in a genus apart from the gulls; the name which he imposed ought to obtain the preference. It is derived from the Greek word Karagaxins, a cataract, and alludes to the velocity with which these birds descend through the air upon the objects of their pursuit. The bird to which Aristotle applied this name cannot now be identified, as his description is both short and obscure. The following may be considered as the systematical character of the genus CATARACTES or Skua, by which it may be distinguished from the genus Larus. Bill strong and straight. The upper mandible hooked at the end; the margin of the under mandible sloping downwards at the apex. Nostrils linear; rather widest in front; pervious, situated near the middle of the mandible, and covered with a corneous plate reaching to the feathers at the base. Tongue bluntly bifid. The back toe distinct. Claw of the inner toe arched. terns, in confining their operations to the surface of the water. Like them the body is so thickly covered with feathers, and so light in proportion to the |