TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI.

139 The little port of this name is the first which occurs in passing eastward from the Cephalas Promontorium, and the remains of building which are found there, on the beach, will authorize the conclusion that it has been used as such by the ancients*.

Its present appearance wiU however by no means entitle it to the distinction of KoXhia-rog, (bestowed by Strabo upon Aspis, or the port which succeeds it) ; for the Gulf of Syrtis, though ill supplied with conveniences of this nature, has certainly ports of more consideration than Mersa Zaffran.

We must at the same time recollect that the space required for the vessels of the ancients was much less than would be necessary for those of the present day, and the depth of water required for them comparatively inconsiderable. The port at Zaffran is also much less than formerly, and, like that at Lebida, nearly fiUed up with sand ; so that although it cannot now be considered as a good one (nor, indeed, in the present acceptation of the term, as any port at all) it may certainly have afforded very good shelter and accommodation for vessels such as those of the ancientsf. The remains on Syrtis (travelling eastward) which can be considered as an ancient site. Strabo’s lake finishes at Sooleb, but there are no remains of building in the neighbourhood of that place, nor between it and Mahad Hassan.

* The naval station above mentioned, at the junction of Strabo’s lake with the sea, is not styled Xt/ju-nv, but u(poqios ; and we may conclude from this circumstance that it was formed by art, and not by any of those peculiarities of coast which usually constitute a fort.

t It is formed by a rocky projection, which appeared to have been partly natural and partly artificial ; and though its inconsiderable size would not allow vessels in it to ride clear of the surf in a gale of wind, yet in moderate weather there would be quite sufficient shelter for them to load and unload ; and in the event of a gale they might easily have been hauled up on the beach. — See the plan of Mersa Zafi’ran annexed.