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Victor Bunduki
Marcelo Zugaib
Atlas of
Fetal Ultrasound
123
Atlas of Fetal Ultrasound
Victor Bunduki • Marcelo Zugaib
Translated and adapted from the Portuguese language edition: Atlas de Ultrassom Fetal Normal e
Malformações 2nd edition, by Victor Bunduki and Marcelo Zugaib, ©Editora Atheneu, 2011. All rights
reserved.
ISBN 978-3-319-54797-8 ISBN 978-3-319-54798-5 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54798-5
It is with great pleasure that we present this English edition of Atlas of Fetal Ultrasound:
Normal Imaging and Malformations. The original is in its second edition in Brazil, as the first
edition sold out and was reprinted over the years. It is one of the reference books for Medical
Schools and Specialist Title Examinations in our country.
The authors are very experienced in fetal structural ultrasound and there is a lack of pub-
lished fetal ultrasound images organized as an atlas in the medical literature. In the present
volume, emphasis was placed on the image captions and short introductory texts to the chap-
ters. Readers will notice that the captions present concepts and advice in a coherent and didac-
tic way. Fetal structural ultrasound must be performed in a systematic manner from the fetal
head to the feet. Every sonographer should find his own methods, making sure that the fetal
scan is carried out using a uniform technique that is repeated from patient to patient. We
believe that this is the best way to avoid diagnostic mistakes.
Some might say that publishing a paper edition of a book of fetal images would be obsolete,
as digitalization is the most important method for sharing knowledge. In our opinion, an orga-
nized and complete printed edition of fetal images is of great interest. Obtaining information
only from digitalized media can lead to a focal and thus incomplete approach to fetal patho-
logical conditions. This volume helps practitioners to organize ideas and offers a complete
overview of the fetus, as it covers most fetal malformations. In addition, this atlas is presented
in both a printed and a digitalized form, offering students and professionals the complete range
of options.
This atlas was conceived to be easily handled and it can be used as a handbook; therefore,
professionals can bring it to their daily practice and check for images and pathological condi-
tions that occasionally appear during their routine work.
v
Contents
vii
viii Contents
Morphological ultrasound includes a systematic and orga- 1.1 Head and Neck
nized study of each fetal segment to make a detailed descrip-
tion of most of the fetal anatomy and attachments (amniotic –– CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM:
fluid, cord, and placenta). Cranial shape: regularity, sutures, echogenicity, propor-
The fetal morphological examination should be per- tion BPD/OFD.
formed in a systematic manner, as if it were anatomical –– BRAIN:
expertise on the fetus, intending to ensure its structural nor- Medium line.
mality or diagnose malformations. Each operator should Cross section.
have his/her own routine and carry out the examination in the Midbrain, thalami, cavum septi pellucidi, falx cerebri.
same sequence, facilitating the work, and helping with the Lateral ventricles: walls, dimensions, choroid plexus,
diagnosis of structural abnormalities. width, and/or relationship between the left ventricle
The identification of fetal abnormalities allows conduct to (VE) and the head circunference (HC).
be established in relation to pregnancy continuation. In addi- Posterior fossa: cerebellar hemispheres, cerebellar ver-
tion, it indicates possible intrauterine treatment, helps to mis, cisterna magna, and fourth ventricle.
choose the place, time, and mode of delivery, prepares the Sagittal view.
postnatal treatment strategy, and guides parents with regard Corpus callosum.
to prognosis and risk of recurrence.
For effective detection of fetal malformations, it is benefi-
cial to carry out morphological ultrasound in all pregnant 1.2 Face
women. It is known that the selection of only patients who are
acknowledged to be at risk allows a detection rate of 10–15% Profile (sagittal view): forehead, nose, lips position, tongue
of fetal anomalies, because 85–90% of fetal malformations position, longitudinal bone palate, jaw position, size and
occur in pregnancies with no identifiable risk factors. position of the eye sockets, and the relationship between
When fetal abnormality or increased risk of its occurrence them and the biparietal diameter.
is suspected, patients should be referred to tertiary centers Coronal section.
with a fetal medicine service. Mouth: upper lip integrity.
A brief anamnesis precedes the morphological examina- Cross-section: upper dental arch, hard palate.
tion, avoiding inappropriate questions during the examination. Neck: neck position and identification of possible neck
The report preparation is a critical stage of morphological tumors.
examination. The text should contain, in addition to biomet-
ric data, a description of all the structures seen, including
attachments. The absence of diagnosable fetal abnormalities 1.3 Spine
on examination should be reported once completed.
Any defects should be described in the body of the report Cross section: the anterior vertebral body’s ossification cen-
and should appear in the conclusion. Plausible differential ter and the two centers of the side blades, which should form
diagnosis should be suggested if there is any doubt about the a triangle.
diagnosis. Coronal longitudinal section: ossification centers of lat-
The following described structures should always be eral blades that line in parallel. In our view, this section
analyzed to exclude fetal malformation. shows spina bifida better.
Median sagittal section: visualization of the spinous pro- Measurement of renal pelvis when visible and always in
cess, vertebral body ossification centers, and the skin integ- the posterior–anterior direction in the cross-section of the
rity immediately above the spinous process. kidney stores.
Several cutting plans. Female gender: large and small labia, clitoris.
Size and shape of the rib cage. Male gender: scrotum, testicles, penis.
Echogenicity of the lungs. The identification of sex is of great value in twin pregnan-
Location, size, shape, and echogenicity of masses or fluid cies and in diseases linked to sex.
collections.
1.9 Extremities
1.5 Heart
Length of long bones.
Cross section. Check the presence of all long bones.
Heart position and relative position of the heart Check abnormal curvatures of the same.
chambers. Number and position of the fingers.
Four-chamber view: ratio between the chambers, inter- Contractures and postural deformities.
ventricular and interatrial septum, valves. and myocardial
echotexture.
Oblique cross-section. 1.10 The Umbilical Cord
Left and right ventricular outflow tract: crossing of the
great vessels. Volume, location, and echogenicity of abnormal masses.
Diaphragmatic cupula. Number of vessels: a higher incidence of malformations
in fetuses with a single umbilical artery.
Check abdominal and placental insertion of the umbilical
1.6 Abdomen cord.
HC
HC
CER
TL PC FP
P
SB
F CSP HC
FS
Fig. 1.5 Cross-section, laterally oblique (lateral tilting), shows the
posterior horn of the lateral ventricle (arrow). WM white matter, P cho-
roid plexus
Fig. 1.2 Same section as in the previous figure: largest increase show-
ing a normal central nervous system; the structures listed must be seen
constantly and systematically. PF posterior fossa, CSP cavum septum
pellucidum, TL thalami, CP cerebellar peduncle, FC falx cerebri, HS
hippocampus region, FS Sylvian fissure or cerebral large groove, CER
cerebellum
Fig. 1.7 Median sagittal section of the fetal head showing the corpus
callosum (CC) in the anterior portion, medially above the cavum septi
pellucidi (CSP)
Fig. 1.9 Cross-section in the base of the brain showing the arterial
circle (circle of Willis) and indicating the power doppler with the mid-
dle cerebral artery in the topographies of smaller wings of the sphenoid
(arrows)
Fig. 1.8 Same section as in the previous figure, but with the fetal body
showing in the cephalic pole the corpus callosum completely (arrows). Fig. 1.10 Median sagittal section of the face showing the usual profile.
Notice in particular the posterior-most portion of the corpus callosum. Normal alignment is observed between the forehead and the chin
This should be observed because it is absent in partial agenesis of the (absence of retrognathism or undershot)
corpus callosum
1.12 Placenta and Membranes 5
C N
M
Fig. 1.11 Same view as in the previous figure used to measure nasal
bones (calipers) Fig. 1.14 Coronal section of the fetal face through the chin (M) and tip
of the nose (N), showing an intact upper lip (arrows). Note that this cut,
which is due to fetal bending, can pass transversely through the chest
and fetal heart (C)
Fig. 1.12 Same section as in the previous figure at the dynamic time of
fetal yawning
Fig. 1.15 Same section as in the preceding figure, with the fetal mouth
open, facilitating the observation of the upper lip integrity (arrows).
Also, the fetal nostrils are observed. N nose, M chin
Fig. 1.13 Still in the sagittal face section, the tongue (arrow) is
observed in the normal position inside the mouth. LL lower lip, UL
upper lip
Fig. 1.16 Cross-section complementing the analysis of facial clefts
where the superior alveolar arch integrity is observed (–arrows dental
arch)
6 1 Normal Fetal Morphological Ultrasound
Fig. 1.17 Coronal section of the face, which is more posterior than the Fig. 1.20 Cross-sections of the fetal chest showing normal four cham-
lips, passing through the eyeball and showing the fetal lens bers, an intact ventricular septum and foramen ovale (arrow)
Fig. 1.21 Cross-sections of the fetal chest showing four normal cham-
Fig. 1.18 Complementary element in the cephalic pole analysis is the bers, an intact ventricular septum and foramen ovale (arrow)
paramedian sagittal section for tangenting lateral surface to observe the
outer ear (arrow)
AD
VD
VE AE VD
AD
AE
Fig. 1.23 Same section as in the previous figure showing the foramen Fig. 1.26 Slightly oblique sections of the chest showing the left and
ovale with its valve (arrow) opened to the left atrium (LA) right ventricular outflow tract. VE left ventricle, AO aorta, VD right ven-
tricle, PA pulmonary artery
Fig. 1.24 View of the four chambers, out of the foramen ovale’s plan, Fig. 1.27 Slightly oblique section of the chest showing the beginning
to show the foramen ovale (arrow). The integrity of the rest of the atrial of the aortic arch (arrows) and its main branches
septum is seen to the left and to the right of the arrow
VB
E VB
Fig. 1.29 Paramedian sagittal section in the left side of the fetal chest
and abdomen in which we can see the heart (COR) and lung (PUL) Fig. 1.32 Cross-section with a slight caudal inclination of the front
separated from the left hepatic lobe by the intact diaphragm (arrow) portion showing the gallbladder (VB) and the stomach (E). Observe the
cord insertion medially (arrow)
COR
V
A
E
E
Fig. 1.30 Slightly oblique sagittal section to the left of the fetus show- Fig. 1.33 Cross-section of the fetal abdomen used for the measure-
ing the intrahepatic portion of the umbilical vein (arrow) and the stom- ment of waist circumference. The repair points are the stomach (S),
ach (S). Again, we see the heart (HEA) and the left lung separated from aortic cross-section (A) and intrahepatic path of the umbilical vein (V)
the abdomen by the intact diaphragm
VB
E
E R
VB
VB
RINS
NORMAIS
RD RE
Fig. 1.38 Coronal view of the chest (on the left) and abdomen (on the
right) with Power Doppler showing descending aorta giving rise to fetal
renal arteries. This technique is useful in cases of doubt with regard to
unilateral or bilateral renal agenesis
Fig. 1.35 Cross-section of the fetal abdomen at the level of the kidney
stores (arrows). RK right kidney, LK left kidney, S stomach
Fig. 1.39 Paramedian sagittal section (on the left) showing the fetal
kidney in longitudinal section. On the right, cross-section of the fetal
abdomen at the level of the renal stores in a fetus with an anterior back,
Fig. 1.36 Median sagittal section of the fetal pole showing the corpus showing the kidneys in cross-section. VER = vertebra in cross-section
callosum in full (arrows), just above the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP)
AO
Fig. 1.37 Ideal cross-section of the abdomen to visualize the renal Fig. 1.40 Coronal section of the lumbar region of the fetus showing a
stores. Notice the left kidney, right kidney, and aorta (AO) normal kidney (left kidney). Arrows indicate the left adrenal gland,
which is quite visible in the early gestational ages, and should not be
confused with renal stores
10 1 Normal Fetal Morphological Ultrasound
Fig. 1.41 Cross-section of the fetal abdomen at the level of the navel, Fig. 1.44 Same section as in the previous figure, but without the amni-
showing the regular insertion of the umbilical cord (arrows). C column otic fluid interface, which worsens the visualization of the skin integrity
C
C
Fig. 1.46 Longitudinal section of the fetal arm showing the humerus
(arrows). This is the ideal section for measurement of the bone
Fig. 1.43 Median sagittal section of the fetal spine showing the nor-
mal appearance of the column. It is important, in this section, to also
observe the integrity of the skin (arrows). The visible elements of the
column in this section are: the anterior arches of the vertebrae or the
vertebral bodies (AA) and the spinous processes (SP)
1.12 Placenta and Membranes 11
5 4 3
2
R U 1
Fig. 1.47 Same longitudinal section of the fetal arm. Note the humeral
insertion of the deltoid (arrow), the biceps (B) and further distally, we Fig. 1.50 Section tangential to the fingertips (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) in a semi-
see the radial portion (R) and ulna (U) inflected position
Fig. 1.48 Longitudinal section of the fetal forearm showing the ulnar Fig. 1.51 Longitudinal section of the fetal thigh showing the femur
free edge (arrows). This observation practically excludes post-axial (arrows). This is the ideal section for the measurement of bone
polydactyly
TI
45
23 P
1
FI
Fig. 1.52 On the left, normal position of the feet; on the right, evi-
dence of the presence of tibia (TI) and fibula (FI, arrow)
Fig. 1.49 The same view of the previous figure in a lower magnifica-
tion, showing the free edge of the ulna (arrows) and the individual
fingers
12 1 Normal Fetal Morphological Ultrasound
GL
GL
Fig. 1.53 Section of the sole the foot in a 16-week fetus. Failure to Fig. 1.56 Same section as in the previous figure at a lower
display no long bone in the same section shows an angle of 90° between magnification
the foot and the leg, which characterizes the absence of equinovarus
foot
GL
GL
Fig. 1.55 Cross-section of the fetal perineum showing the large labia
(LL) in the female fetus. Fetus at 30 weeks Fig. 1.58 Longitudinal section of the fetus in the late first trimester
showing normal male genitals. BLA = fetal bladder. Same section as in
the previous image in a male fetus at 16 weeks. Note the presence of the
penis (arrow)
1.12 Placenta and Membranes 13
PLAC
PLAC
B
P
PLAC
LV LV
PLAC
PLAC
Fig. 1.61 Anterior placenta view of grade 0 (PLAC) and normal amni- Fig. 1.64 Placenta grade III. Placental calcifications are noted (arrows)
otic fluid (NL). F = fibula and the presence of venous lakes (VL). We can already distinguish the
placental buds
14 1 Normal Fetal Morphological Ultrasound
Fig. 1.65 Cross-section of the cord showing the presence of three ves- Fig. 1.66 Longitudinal section of the umbilical vein (V), but with the
sels. A = umbilical arteries, V = umbilical vein umbilical artery (A) in cross-section
The Fetus at the First Trimester
2
The first trimester ultrasound scan is one of the main exami- tional age is not consistent because of irregular menstrual
nations to be performed in prenatal care. With the increase in periods or because of oral contraceptive use, or even because
technology and the development of modern scans it is pos- of short inter-pregnancy intervals.
sible to make diagnoses earlier than before. Fetal viability can be ascertained after 6 weeks of preg-
The main goals of this particular ultrasound scan are: nancy (CRL = 5 mm) when it is possible to see the embry-
ascertaining an ongoing intrauterine pregnancy, gestational onic heartbeat. The absence of a fetal heartbeat after this
age evaluation, pregnancy viability analysis, diagnosis of period characterizes a non-evolutive pregnancy, known as
twin pregnancy and its eventual chorionicity, early detection abortion. Other ultrasound signs can suggest a bad prognosis
of some gross fetal abnormalities, and early screening for for the pregnancy; however, these markers should be care-
fetal aneuploidies, using nuchal translucency (NT) measure- fully analyzed.
ment and other markers. The bad prognosis factors related to the gestational sac
The gestational sac can be seen using a transvaginal trans- are the irregularity of the sac, its size in relation to the
ducer after the 4th week of pregnancy and after 5 weeks, embryo’s size and a gestational sac measuring over 20 mm
when an abdominal transducer is used. A small anechoic without the presence of the yolk sac. When the yolk sac is
round structure is observed, in the endometrial cavity. At too big, an association with embryo death is reported. An
5 weeks, using the endovaginal transducer, the yolk sac can irregular-shaped yolk sac is also associated with abortion.
be observed, which appears before the embryo. The embryo When the yolk sac is seen, the possibility of anembryonic
begins to be seen after 5 weeks through a transvaginal scan pregnancy can be excluded.
and 1 week later through the abdominal transducer. When First-trimester ultrasound can also diagnose multiple
the mean gestational sac diameter measures ≥2.5 cm, it is pregnancies and their chorionicity. It is important do make a
mandatory to visualize the embryo in a normal ongoing diagnosis of chorionicity because of the increased risk asso-
pregnancy. When this does not occur, it is characterized as an ciated with monochorionic pregnancies such as fetal death,
anembryonic gestation. The fetal heartbeat can be observed twin-to-twin growth discrepancies, and twin-to-twin transfu-
when the crown–rump length (CRL) of the embryo is >4 mm. sion syndrome. Before 10 weeks, this diagnosis is carried out
The presence of the intrauterine gestational sac practically by the visualization of the number of sacs. Each gestational
excludes the possibility of ectopic pregnancy, at least for sac with its embryo has its own independent placenta. When
spontaneous pregnancies. there is a unique gestational sac with two embryos inside it,
Until embryo visualization is obtained, the gestational a monochorionic pregnancy is diagnosed. After the 11th
age could be calculated using the mean diameter of the ges- week, chorionicity is defined by the shape and thickness of
tational sac, although it is not an accurate method of gesta- the amniotic membrane at the placental insertion. In a mono-
tional age estimation. The best measure for gestational age chorionic–diamniotic pregnancy, the amniotic membranes
calculation, during this period, is the crown–rump length form a T shape at its insertion and two thin layers can be
(CRL), which can be measured after 5 or 6 weeks of preg- noticed between membranes that separate twins. In a dicho-
nancy, i.e., as soon as the embryo is seen. This method pres- rionic pregnancy, the chorion forms the Greek letter lambda
ents a mean variation of about 5 days (between the 7th and (λ).
9th weeks) and 7 days between the 10th and 13th weeks. It is Diagnosis of first-trimester fetal malformations is also
very important to estimate the correct gestational age at this possible, especially using the endovaginal probe. The skull
time, as approximately 30% of pregnant women do not integrity and cranial calcification can be examined after
remember their last menstrual period correctly or the gesta- 12 weeks. At the brain, the interhemispheric line and choroid
plexuses can be seen. With the normal visualization of these insufficient to diagnose many malformations and this tech-
structures, fetal pathological conditions such as anencephaly, nique is not a substitute for the second-trimester morpho-
acrania, and alobar holoprosencephaly can be ruled out. The logical examination.
diagnosis of encephalocele and ventricular dilatation is The search for ultrasound markers of fetal aneuploidy is a
sometimes possible. crucial part of the first-trimester ultrasound scan between 11
Heart position can be observed in the fetal thorax. and 13 weeks and 6 days. Measurement of nuchal translu-
Sometimes it is possible to see the four chambers of the cency (NT) is the most important marker. To achieve the cor-
heart. On a transverse image at the fetal abdomen, the stom- rect measurement of this marker, fetal CRL must be between
ach and bladder can be evaluated after 11 weeks. In some 45 and 84 mm (11–13 weeks and 6 days). The fetus should
cases, at the end of the first trimester, both fetal kidneys can be in a neutral position at the sagittal section (the same tech-
be seen. When the stomach is absent, we should repeat the nique as that used to achieve CRL measurement). The maxi-
examination and if it persists a diaphragmatic hernia should mum thickness of the hypoechogenic area between the skin
be hypothesized. and subcutaneous tissue from which the fetal spine evolves
Bladders with significant dilatation should be re- (hyperechogenic lines) is measured. It is important to care-
evaluated. Most of the time, spontaneous resolution occurs; fully distinguish fetal skin from amniotic membrane, once
however, cases of low urinary obstruction should be sus- both have the same image of a thin hyperechogenic mem-
pected when the dilatation becomes worse in the next evalu- brane. Therefore, we should wait for fetal movements that
ation. The abdominal circumference can be measured after separate the fetus from the membranes. The image should be
12 weeks or when CRL is ≥45 mm. The presence of herni- zoomed until it takes at least 75% of the frame. The caliper
ated bowels through the cord insertion leads us to a diagnosis movement should make a change of 0.1 mm at the measure-
of omphalocele after 12 weeks. The diagnosis of gastroschi- ment. At least three different measurements of NT should be
sis is also possible during this period. The vertebral spine can made and the biggest one considered. These are the criteria
also be better evaluated after 12 weeks and fetal movements approved by the Fetal Medicine Foundation. The combina-
aid a better examination quality. tion of mother's age, previous history of chromosomopathy,
Spina bifida and rachischisis had been already reported and the NT measurements has a sensitivity of 85% for detect-
during this period of pregnancy. The superior and inferior ing Down’s Syndrome cases with a 5% false-positive rate.
limbs can also be examined during the first trimester. In gen- When the software used to calculate the risks is not available,
eral, arms and hands are settled laterally to the cephalic pole; values up to 2.5 mm should be considered normal.
its visualization can be obtained in a transverse section of the The placenta can also be evaluated at the beginning of the
fetus. Hands are usually open and fingers can be counted. pregnancy with regard to its position and aspect. The pres-
Legs and feet can also be seen in a transverse section image. ence of a heterogeneous image with many anechoic vesicles
The absence of a limb should be diagnosed during the first of different sizes should be lead to the suspicion of tropho-
trimester of pregnancy. In spite of several reports of bad for- blastic disease. Diagnosis can be made earlier through the
mation during the first trimester, ultrasound sensitivity is still endovaginal examination.
2 The Fetus at the First Trimester 17
VV
SG
Fig. 2.2 Longitudinal image of the embryo (E) at 6 weeks and 3 days.
The increased size of the gestational sac (SG) does not always mean a Fig. 2.5 Transverse image of the gestational sac in a pregnancy of
non-evolutive pregnancy 7 weeks and 1 day, showing the embryo and vitelline vesicle
CE
VV
CE
E
VV
TROF
Fig. 2.7 Longitudinal image of the embryo and yolk sac and its pedi-
cle in a 9-week pregnancy. Notice the identification of the cranial por- Fig. 2.10 Transverse image of the uterus showing a 9-week and 5-day-
tion of the embryo old embryo; amniotic membrane (white arrow); vitelline vesicle (VV);
extra-embryonic coelom (EC); and posterior trophoblast (TROP)
C VV E
Fig. 2.8 Endovaginal ultrasound of an 8-week embryo (E) in a typical Fig. 2.11 Embryo with cardiac activity identified with the use of color
position of flexion position. Observe the vitelline vesicle (VV) at the Doppler. Notice the umbilical cord trajectory (c), which also appears on
extra-embryonic coelom (C) the color Doppler
Fig. 2.16 Demonstration of arm (B) and fetal hand (M). To notice
amniotic membrane (AMNIO)
Fig. 2.13 Transverse image of the fetal upper body showing superior
limb and its segments (arm) in a 9-week and 5-day-old embryo
Fig. 2.17 Sagittal image of the fetus demonstrating the ideal position
for measuring nuchal translucency (NT) and CRL
Fig. 2.22 Transverse image of fetal thorax at the fetal heart level
Fig. 2.19 Measurement of NT measurement (1) and CRL (2) in a fetus showing the tricuspid valve Doppler (calipers), with a normal flow. No
with a posterior back. Notice the caliper position over the anechoic regurgitation observed
image
E
DC
Fig. 2.21 Venous ductus Doppler on first-trimester ultrasound. In this Fig. 2.24 Sagittal image of a 15-week-old fetus, demonstrating the
picture, a normal measurement is observed normal aspect of a superior limb, with finger count (arrows), and an
inferior limb with normal foot position (F)
2 The Fetus at the First Trimester 21
h PC
PC
PC
F
PC
O N leaving the hill we took a road that led us towards the north.
We first rounded the western end of the scarp of the detached
plateau parallel to which we had marched on coming from Bu
Gerara, and, about two hours after our start, ascended a steepish
bank on to the top of the plateau, which here was only about fifty feet
high.
From the summit of a small hill close by, a huge cliff stretching to
the north and south, as far as it was possible to see, was visible, far
off in the east; this was evidently the eastern boundary of the Farafra
depression, and, as I afterwards discovered, the continuation of the
cliff to the north of Bu Gerara.
The scarp was too far for me to be able to see any details of its
surface, with the light behind it, and as the top of it showed as only a
straight line, there were no points on it to which I could take a
bearing.
In these circumstances it was impossible either to fix its position
or to estimate the direction in which it ran. I several times met with
this difficulty, but found that, when a cliff faced towards the south, it
was only necessary for me to wait till the sun came round far enough
to begin to light up its surface, and then a rough estimate of the
direction in which it ran could be obtained by taking a bearing on to
the sun itself. This dodge was especially useful when it was
necessary to map the continuation of a cliff, part of which had
already been surveyed and the remainder of it could only be seen
from one point, such as the top of a high hill.
The part of the Farafra depression in which we found ourselves
was an absolutely featureless plain, of hard level sand, that sloped
slightly towards the foot of the scarp on our east. Here and there we
came across patches of greenish clay, with white lines running
through it, showing above the surface of the sand.
The Persian King, Cambyses, during his occupation of Egypt,
sent a great army across the desert to destroy the oracle of Jupiter
Ammon in Siwa Oasis. The army never reached Siwa; but was lost
in the desert. Its last resting-place is unknown, but, according to
native reports, the whole host perished of thirst in this huge
depression in which the oasis of Farafra lies.
I happened to mention to Qwaytin the subject of singing sands,
and asked him if he had ever heard any. He told me that somewhere
in the north of the Farafra depression there was a rock that was
supposed to be the “church” of the spirits of the lost Persian army. It
was called the “infidel rock,” because it “sang on Sunday.” It
appeared to be some form of musical sands.
It was not until the third day after our start from the treasure hill
that we sighted in the west the field of dunes that occupies the
centre of the Farafra wady. They appeared to be almost white in
colour, and lay a long way off.
Qwaytin told me that we should reach the Kairowin hattia on our
third day after leaving his hill. It will give some idea of his utter
incompetence as a guide when I say that we did not actually get
there until two days later.
He came into my tent on the first evening and began yarning in an
aimless sort of way, as he generally did as a preliminary to serious
business, and I endeavoured to extract some information from him
as to the topography of the Bedayat country, with which he was well
acquainted.
But he at once got impatient and changed the subject to that of
his confounded hill. He ended by asking—almost demanding—that
we should go back there to have another look at it, and to make
certain that there was not another hill in the neighbourhood which
might be the one indicated in his book. On my refusing to do so, he
flounced out of the tent—he was certainly a queer customer to deal
with.
Whenever I spoke to him the next day he began gassing about his
wretched hill, and saying that he wanted to go back to it; but towards
evening he rather recovered himself, and when he came to my tent I
again threw out feelers about the country of the Bedayat, though he
declined to tell me anything about the district, he started giving me a
lot of information about the Bedayat themselves, which, as they are
an almost unknown race, proved extremely interesting.
They claim to be descended from an afrit, whom, for some crime,
either David or Solomon shut up in a box, till he grew to such an
enormous size that he burst it open. There still exists apparently a
mongrel Bedayat—Tibbu tribe, known as the M’Khiat er Rih, that
possess the miraculous power of being able to walk over sand
without leaving any tracks behind them—a most useful
accomplishment in the desert for a race of born freebooters. This
peculiarity they owe to the fact that wherever they go they are
followed by a wind that immediately obliterates their footprints!
On our fourth day after leaving the treasure hill, our road
converged towards the dunes lying on our west, and, as Qwaytin
seemed to be hopelessly lost, I climbed one of the biggest of them
with him to try and make out our position.
From the top, the east and west scarp, with a break in it leading
up to Baharia Oasis, that lies on the north of Farafra, could be seen
in the far distance, but no sign of the hattia Kairowin was visible. In
front of us, however, was a high three-headed sif, or longitudinal
sand dune, that Qwaytin declared to be the landmark for the hattia
from the south.
As we were getting very short of water, the news that the hattia
was not in sight caused something like consternation among my
men. They all started grumbling at Qwaytin’s ignorance of the road,
and Ibrahim went so far as to ask him point-blank why he called
himself a guide, if he knew so little about the desert.
This coming from a young Sudani, hardly out of his ’teens, to an
elderly Arab guide, who, moreover, was a sheykh of his tribe, was a
great ayb, and Qwaytin was intensely put out. Qway, under the
circumstances, would have retaliated with some stinging remarks on
the inferiority of “slaves” and the respect that was due from a boy to
his elders and superiors in rank; but Qwaytin lacked his ready
powers of vituperation. He was a slow-witted old curmudgeon, and
failed entirely to put Ibrahim in his place. His own men stood up for
him in a feeble sort of way. But they were no match for Ibrahim, and
eventually gave up any attempt to defend their sheykh, probably
feeling themselves that there was not much to be said in his
defence. As I rather wanted to encourage a certain amount of friction
between my men and Qwaytin’s, I left them to settle their differences
as best they could, with the result that Qwaytin and his men got
much the worst of the wrangle.
Kairowin hattia measures some eighteen miles from north to
south, by seven from east to west. It consists of a level scrub-
covered area, in which, here and there, are to be seen a few
neglected-looking palms. A number of wells have been sunk here at
various times; one on the extreme eastern edge of the hattia, where
the road coming from Assiut first enters the scrub, is known as Bir
Murr. This well, which I did not visit, is said to be sanded up. Another
well somewhere to the north, I believe, is known as Bir Abd el Qadr.
There are also several others, all of which seem to be impartially
named Bir Kairowin. Probably water can be found under all the lower
lying parts of the hattia by digging for a few feet into the ground,
which throughout this district consists of chalk.
The wells in every case apparently give water so thick with chalk
particles that when first drawn from them it is almost as milky as
whitewash. Attempts to clear the water by passing it through a
Berkefeld filter failed, as the chalk clogged the filter after a few
strokes. But when it had been allowed to stand for a few hours, most
of the chalk settled down to the bottom, and the water that was
poured off passed quite easily through the filter, after which it proved
to be of quite good quality.
I, unfortunately, forgot to wind my watches the first night in the
hattia, and so allowed the half chronometer I had been using in
taking my observations to run down. As I was depending on it for my
longitudes, this necessitated a stay of two or three days in the camp
in order to ascertain its new rate after it had been rewound.
These watches are for some reason only made so as to run for
one day. As oversights of this kind must be of common occurrence
with travellers, it would seem to be preferable that they should be
made so as to run for two days, and be furnished with an up and
down indicator to show how long an interval has elapsed since they
were last wound.
I spent a considerable part of the time while in the hattia in trying,
without success, to get a shot at gazelle. There appeared to be very
few in the district, though a considerable number of old tracks were
to be seen where they had been feeding on the scrub.
This scarcity of game may perhaps have been due to the fact that
a few bedawin were at that time living there in charge of some
camels belonging to the Senussi zawia at Qasr Farafra. These men
kept away from the camp, but I saw them and their camels several
times wandering about in the scrub, and twice found small hovels
constructed of brushwood, in which they had been living—they had,
so far as I could see, no tents.
My men spent most of their time in grubbing about in some large
mounds. On the top of one of these, about thirty feet high, Ibrahim
found some burnt bricks. The whole mound was covered by a thick
growth of terfa bushes, among which the sand had collected,
completely hiding any building there might have been beneath it.
It must have been originally a building of some size and of
considerable height, and was perhaps a tower. The men unearthed
part of a small room at the base of the mound. It had been well built,
of the same burnt bricks, and the interior was covered with plaster. A
few pieces of broken pottery were found, one of them covered with a
green glaze. There were four or five other mounds of a similar nature
in the neighbourhood; but we had neither time nor implements
thoroughly to examine them.
As the total result of their treasure hunt in Kairowin the men only
unearthed one corpse and a few bits of broken pottery, without
finding even a single copper coin to gratify their cupidity. They were
consequently considerably disillusioned with their occupation, and I
experienced no difficulty in getting them to start for Qasr Farafra.
I made first for the main well, that is known as the Bir Kairowin, in
order to close my traverse. The water lay about eight feet below the
surface; access being gained to it by the usual sloping path, cut out
of one of its sides. By the top of the well was a mud-built trough for
watering camels, with an empty paraffin tin lying beside it for use as
a bucket.
Immediately on leaving the hattia we got into the dunes, which
cover a large area in the centre of the Farafra depression. The first
two or three dunes gave a little difficulty, but we found the rest of
them quite easy to cross. They were all, so far as I could see, of a
very elongated whalebacked type, which ran roughly from north to
south, in the direction of the prevailing wind.
Qasr Farafra lay almost due west from our camp. Soon after we
got into the sand it became clear that Qwaytin was again hopelessly
lost, as I found we were marching almost due south. I was obliged to
put it to my guide, as inoffensively as I could, that if he would change
the direction in which he was leading us by a mere right angle, we
might perhaps reach our destination, instead of going on to Dakhla
Oasis as we seemed to be doing. Qwaytin was so hopelessly lost
that he accepted my suggestion without the slightest argument.
Soon after this we got out of the sand on to level desert, where a
large number of black nodules of iron pyrites were to be seen lying
on the surface. Further on some fine specimens of sand erosion
were met with in the shape of chalk “mushrooms” and table rocks.
Otherwise this part of the desert was quite featureless. The road lay
entirely over white chalk, which caused a rather trying glare in the
blazing sunlight.
We sighted Qasr Farafra on the evening of the second day after
leaving Kairowin hattia; but as night fell before we could reach it, we
camped a few miles away from the village. Two hours’ march on the
following morning brought us into the oasis. On the outskirts we
passed a patch of ground on which the sand was encroaching, some
palms lying on the north of it being almost entirely submerged.
We camped on the northern side of the village. A large crowd of
natives came out and stood watching us while the tent was being
pitched. Among them was a sulky-looking fellow whom I was told
was the ’omda; so, as soon as the tent was pitched, I invited him and
some of the other men standing by to come in.
We had foolishly camped too close to the village, with the result
that throughout the greater part of the day the camp was surrounded
by a crowd of men and children watching all our actions, peering into
the tent, thronging round the theodolite, when I began to take
observations, and generally showing an ill-mannerly curiosity that
was in great contrast to the conduct of the natives of the other oases
in which we stayed. Farafra being the least known of the Egyptian
oases, the advent of a European was an event of such rare
occurrence that the natives had evidently decided to make the most
of it.
The natives of Farafra Oasis, who are known as the Farfaroni, or
sometimes as the Farafaroni, are a far more vigorous lot than those
of Kharga and Dakhla. They were a surly unpleasant-looking crowd.
The day after our arrival, I went out with the ’omda and Qwaytin to
see the village and plantations. With the exception of an ezba at ’Ain
Sheykh Murzuk, where there are a few houses, a Senussi zawia and
a family or two continuously resident to tend the cultivation near the
well, Qasr Farafra is the only permanently inhabited spot in the
whole Farafra depression. It is a poor little place with a total
population of about five hundred and fifty inhabitants. The houses
are of the usual mud-built type, and in most cases little better than
huts; almost the only exception being that of a square tower,
showing in places the remains of battlements, attributed, perhaps
rightly, by the natives to the Romans, who are said to have erected it
as a keep to protect the village.
This proved to be rather an interesting place. It is not inhabited,
but the door is kept locked with a watchman perpetually on guard
over it. The building is used solely as a storehouse, each family in
the village having the right to the use of one of the rooms that it
contains—there were said to be no less than one hundred and
twenty-five chambers in the building.
The ’omda showed us over the tower. The entrance lay through a
strong wooden door, at the top of a flight of steps, in a passage
entered in the middle of one of the outer walls, the walls on either
side of which were pierced with apertures, apparently intended for
use as loop-holes. The passage extended the whole height of the
building and was unroofed, in order that stones might be dropped
from above on to any assailant attempting to attack the door.
BOY WITH CROSS-BOW, FARAFRA.