XIV CONTENTS.

hood of Ptolemeta— Position of the City — Remains of Bridges observed there — Advantages

of its Site — Extreme Drought at Ptolemeta, recorded by Procopius — Reparation of the Aque-

ducts and Cisterns by the Emperor Justinian — Existing Remains of an extensive Cistern at

Ptolemeta, probably among those alluded to by Procopius — State of the Town, its Solitude

and Desolation— Luxuriant Vegetation which encumbered its Streets when the Place was

first visited by our Party — Change of Scene on returning to it in Summer-time - 339

CHAPTER Xiri.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE CITIES OF TEUCHIRA AND PTOLEMETA.

Actual Condition of the City of Teuchira— Perfect State and great Strength of its Walls—

Suggested Period of their Erection — Mode in which they are constructed — Gates of the City — Narrow Passage communicating with them — Probable Advance of the Sea at Teuchira —

Line described by the Walls — Estimated Circuit of them according to Signor Della Celia

— Greek Inscriptions cut in various parts of them — Suggestions of Signor Della Celia

respecting them — Actual Nature of the Inscriptions — Excavated Tombs in the Quarries of

Teuchira — Egyptian Names of Months generally adopted by the Inhabitants of the City —

General Nature of the Plans of the Tombs — Some of the Bodies appear to have been burnt,

and others to have been buried entire — No Difference appears to have obtained at Teuchira

between the Modes of Burial adopted by its Greek and Roman Inhabitants — Encumbered

State of what are probably the earliest Tombs— Solitary instance of a Painted Tomb at

Teuchira— Remains of Christian Churches, and other Buildings within the Walls — Disposi-

tion of the Streets — Remains without the Walls — No Statues, or Remains of them, discovered

by our Party at Teuchira — Remarks on the Wall of Ptolemeta — Remains of a Naustothmos,

or Naval Station, observed there — Other Remains of Building on the Beach near the Station

— Further traces of the City- Wall — Dimensions of Ptolemeta — Remains of Theatres found

there — Description of the larger one — Ruins described by Bruce as part of an Ionic Temple

— Other Remains in the Neighbourhood of these — Remarks on the Style of some of the

Buildings of Ptolemeta, as contrasted with those of Egypt and Nubia — Probable Date of its

existing Remains - - . - . . - . 3(57

CHAPTER XIV.

JOURNEY FROM PTOLEMETA TO MERGE.

Departure from Ptolemeta — Romantic and Picturesque Appearance of the Road — Luxuriant

Vegetation which adorned it — Arrive at the Summit of the first Range — Bedouin Tents

on the Plain above — Pleasing Manners of their Inhabitants— Character of the Scenery