TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 163 nary scene which it presented, we should scarcely have believed it possible that the force of the sea could, under any circumstances, have raised the large blocks of stone which are piled up on this part of the coast*. The occasional regularity in which these are heaped one above another, induced us, on the first view of them, to imagine that they had been intentionally placed there for the purpose of a breakwater ; but the long extent of the ranges soon proved the improbability of this supposition and the idea was dismissed as heartily as it had been entertained. Heaps of sand and sea-weed are thrown up with these blocks of stone, and the roar and confusion which a nioderate gale of wind here occasions, are such as in other places will seldom be found to accompany the most violent weather -j-.

The general appearance of Zaffran is however by no means unpleasing, although it is destitute, like the rest of the Syrtis, of the advantages afforded by trees. The monotony of the flat and marshy surface, so predominant in other parts, is here broken by hills which are covered with verdure and overspread with a variety of flowers; some of the valleys are partially cultivated, and the flocks of sheep and goats which are scattered over the higher grounds, together * The drawing annexed will give some idea of the manner in which these blocks are disposed.

■f The dangerous peculiarities of the Gulfs of Syrtis are frequently noticed by the ancients ; but the following passage from Sallust seems to allude more particularly to ihe powerful action of the surf, so conspicuous in the instance which we have just described.

Nam ubi mare magnum esse, et saevire ventis coepit, limum, Arenamq : et saxa ingmtia Jluctus trahunt ; ita facies locorum cum ventis siniul mutatur. Syrles ab tract!! nominatoe. — (Bell. Jugurth., p. 78.)