--_i.e._ to conceal in their numbers and proportions the discoveries
of the learned regarding the mutual relations of Sibus and Nuits. In
the first place, the sepulchre of the Pharaohs, or the Pyramid,
operates with the numbers four and three; the base with four, the
sides with three. That was indeed one of the secrets of the sky. But
the base of the Great Pyramid is 365 ells broad. There you have the
365 days of the year. Now the triple side of the Pyramid is 186
great ells, or a stadium long. There you see where our road-measures
come from.

"If you multiply the breadth of the base with the number 500, which
is about double the breadth measured in great ells, you obtain a
length which is equivalent to 1/360 of the whole orbital path of the
sun in a year, since the number of days in a lunar year is 360. This
length represents four minutes, and those who live a degree west of
us see the sun rise four minutes later than we do.

"This is all I remember about numbers and proportions. If you wish
to learn more--for example, why the sides of the pyramid are inclined
at an angle of 5l --you must ask the astronomers. The steps to the
funereal chamber, on the other hand, are inclined at an angle of
27 . This corresponds to the difference between the axis of the
universe and the axis of the earth."

Amram had listened with special attention to the learned scribe's
explanation of the tombs of the Pharaohs, and when Reuben mentioned
numbers he concentrated his attention still more, as though he
wished to fix something in his mind. Finally he interrupted him, and
began to speak: "You just now mentioned 27 . Good! That is not the
inclination of the axis of the universe, but of the Milky Way, which