executed under the Pharaohs.
By some authorities it is believed to be a natural channel canalized.
Besides supplying the canals of the Fayum with summer water, it fills
many of the "basins" of Upper Egypt with water in flood time.

_Manufactures and Native Industries._--Although essentially an
agricultural country, Egypt possesses several manufactures. In connexion
with the cotton industry there are a few mills where calico is made or
oil crushed, and ginning-mills are numerous. In Upper Egypt there are a
number of factories for sugar-crushing and refining, and one or two
towns of the Delta possess rice mills. Flour mills are found in every
part of the country, the maize and other grains being ground for home
consumption. Soap-making and leather-tanning are carried on, and there
are breweries at Alexandria and Cairo. The manufacture of tobacco into
cigarettes, carried on largely at Alexandria and Cairo, is another
important industry. Native industries include the weaving of silk,
woollen, linen and cotton goods, the hand-woven silk shawls and
draperies being often rich and elegant. The silk looms are chiefly at
Mehallet el-Kubra, Cairo and Damietta. The Egyptians are noted for the
making of pottery of the commoner kinds, especially water-jars. There is
at Cairo and in other towns a considerable industry in ornamental wood
and metal work, inlaying with ivory and pearl, brass trays, copper
vessels, gold and silver ornaments, &c. At Cairo and in the Fayum, attar
of roses and other perfumes are manufactured. Boat-building is an
important trade.

_Commerce._--The trade of Egypt has developed enormously since the
British occupation in 1882 ensured to all classes of the community the
enjoyment of the profit of their labour. The total value of the
exterior trade increased in the 20 years 1882 to 1902 from L19,000,000
to L32,400,000. The wealth of Egypt lying in the cultivation of its
soil, almost all the exports are agricultural produce, while the
imports are mostly manufactured goods, minerals and hardware. The
chief exports in order of importance are: raw cotton, cotton seed,
sugar, beans, cigarettes, onions, rice and gum-arabic. The gum is not
of native produce, being in transit from the Sudan. Of less importance
are the exports of hides and skins, eggs, wheat and other grains,
wool, quails, lentils, dates and Sudan produce in transit. The
principal articles imported are: cotton goods and oth