TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 153 The town of Asna is laid down by Edrisi at forty-six Arabic miles from the city of Sort ; and this distance added to the hundred and eight above stated would bring us to the neighbourhood of Medinet Sultan, which is one hundred and fifty-one geographic miles from Mesurata. If we suppose, with Major RenneU, that forty-six has here been substituted for twenty- six, the latter measurement would bring us to Shuaisha, where there are certainly, as we have already stated, some inconsiderable remains, but not apparently those of a town. About two miles south-east of Medinet Sultan are decided remains, of an ancient town, called Medina*, (the city) which from the circumstance we are about to mention, we should be inclined to suggest as the most eligible position (at least in our opinion) for the city of Sort.

The distance of Asna from the western point of the Syrtis, as given by Abulfeda, is found to correspond sufficiently well with that of Zaffran from Mesurata. Sort is stated to be situated to the eastward of Asna, at a distance of forty-six Roman miles from that place, according to the testimony of Edrisi ; and the distance of Zaffran from Medina (forty-seven M. P.) corresponds very well with this statement, the latter place being, at the same, time to the eastward of the former, We may add that the term Sort, or Sert, is not known at the present day to the Arabs as applied to any city or town ; but is merely used to designate the tract of country which lies between * Medina is the Arabic term for a city, and Medinet Sultan, as it is termed by the Arabs, may be translated, royal city, or city of more than ordinary distinction.

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