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within the temple； and that a sandal which has been worn by him is found
sometimes； being in length two cubits； and whenever this appears all
Egypt prospers。 This they say； and they do in honour of Perseus after
Hellenic fashion thus； they hold an athletic contest； which includes the
whole list of games； and they offer in prizes cattle and cloaks and skins：
and when I inquired why to them alone Perseus was wont to appear； and
wherefore they were separated from all the other Egyptians in that they
held an athletic contest； they said that Perseus had been born of their city；
for Danaos and Lynkeus were men of Chemmis and had sailed to Hellas；
and from them they traced a descent and came down to Perseus： and they
told me that he had come to Egypt for the reason which the Hellenes also
say； namely to bring from Libya the Gorgon's head； and had then visited
them also and recognised all his kinsfolk； and they said that he had well
learnt the name of Chemmis before he came to Egypt； since he had heard
it from his mother； and that they celebrated an athletic contest for him by
his own command。
All these are customs practised by the Egyptians who dwell above the
fens： and those who are settled in the fenland have the same customs for
the most part as the other Egyptians； both in other matters and also in that
they live each with one wife only； as do the Hellenes； but for economy in
respect of food they have invented these things besides：when the river
has become full and the plains have been flooded； there grow in the water
great numbers of lilies； which the Egyptians call /lotos/； these they cut
with a sickle and dry in the sun； and then they pound that which grows in
the middle of the lotos and which is like the head of a poppy； and they
make of it loaves baked with fire。 The root also of this lotos is edible and
has a rather sweet taste： it is round in shape and about the size of an apple。
There are other lilies too； in flower resembling roses； which also grow in
the river； and from them the fruit is produced in a separate vessel
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springing from the root by the side of the plant itself； and very nearly
resembles a wasp's comb： in this there grow edible seeds in great numbers
of the size of an olive…stone； and they are eaten either fresh or dried。
Besides this they pull up from the fens the papyrus which grows every
year； and the upper parts of it they cut off and turn to other uses； but that
which is left below for about a cubit in length they eat or sell： and those
who desire to have the papyrus at its very best bake it in an oven heated
red…hot； and then eat it。 Some too of these people live on fish alone； which
they dry in the sun after having caught them and taken out the entrails； and
then when they are dry； they use them for food。
Fish which swim in shoals are not much produced in the rivers； but are
bred in the lakes； and they do as follows：When there comes upon them
the desire to breed； they swim out in shoals towards the sea； and the males
lead the way shedding forth their milt as they go； while the females；
coming after and swallowing it up； from it become impregnated： and when
they have become full of young in the sea they swim up back again； each
shoal to its own haunts。 The same however no longer lead the way as
before； but the lead comes now to the females； and they leading the way in
shoals do just as the males did； that is to say they shed forth their eggs by a
few grains at a time； and the males coming after swallow them up。 Now
these grains are fish； and from the grains which survive and are not
swallowed； the fish grow which afterwards are bred up。 Now those of the
fish which are caught as they swim out towards the sea are found to be
rubbed on the left side of the head； but those which are caught as they
swim up again are rubbed on the right side。 This happens to them because
as they swim down to the sea they keep close to the land on the left side of
the river； and again as they swim up they keep to the same side；
approaching and touching the bank as much as they can； for fear doubtless
of straying from their course by reason of the stream。 When the Nile
begins to swell； the hollow places of the land and the depressions by the
side of the river first begin to fill； as the water soaks through from the river；
and so soon as they become full of water； at once they are all filled with
little fishes； and whence these are in all likelihood produced； I think that I
perceive。 In the preceding year； when the Nile goes down； the fish first lay
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eggs in the mud and then retire with the last of the retreating waters； and
when the time comes round again； and the water once more comes over
the land； from these eggs forthwith are produced the fishes of which I
speak。
Thus it is as regards the fish。 And for anointing those of the Egyptians
who dwell in the fens use oil from the castor…berry； which oil the
Egyptians call /kiki/； and thus they do：they sow along the banks of the
rivers and pools these plants； which in a wild form grow of themselves in
the land of the Hellenes； these are sown in Egypt and produce berries in
great quantity but of an evil smell； and when they have gathered these
some cut them up and press the oil from them； others again roast them first
and then boil them down and collect that which runs away from them。 The
oil is fat and not less suitable for burning than olive…oil； but it gives forth a
disagreeable smell。 Against the gnats； which are very abundant； they have
contrived as follows：those who dwell above the fen…land are helped by
the towers； to which they ascend when they go to rest； for the gnats by
reason of the winds are not able to fly up high： but those who dwell in the
fen… land have contrived another way instead of the towers； and this it is： …
…every man of them has got a casting net； with which by day he catches
fish； but in the night he uses it for this purpose； that is to say he puts the
casting…net round about the bed in which he sleeps； and then creeps in
under it and goes to sleep： and the gnats； if he sleeps rolled up in a
garment or a linen sh