TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 209 CHAPTER IX.

Barren and desolate appearance of the Country in the Neighbourhood of Muktdhr — Sulphur Mines at Kebrit — Extensive Marsh near Muktdhr — Arrive at Sachrin, the southernmost Point of the Gulf — Singularly desolate and comfortless Appearance of it — Examination of the Coast from the Heights of Jeria — Extreme Difference of its Outline from that laid down in modern Charts — Suggested Causes of this Error — Accumulation of Sand on the Beach in this Neighbourhood — Alarm of Signor Della Celia in passing it — Causes of this Accumulation considered — Character of the Country at the Bottom of the Gulf — Observations of Signor Della Celia respecting it — Allusion of the Doctor to the Expedition of the Psylli — Remarks on the Latitud e of this part of the Gulf — Monuments of the Philaeni — Record of their Patriotism by Sallust — Various Positions of the Philsenian Altars by the Ancients — Boreum Promontorium and Oppiduin of Celia rius — Suggested Causes of their Position by this Author in the Bottom of the Gulf — Observations on the Nature of the Soil of the Greater Syrtis — Allusion to the March cf Cato across it — Island called Bushaifa at the Bottom of the Gulf — Gradual Improvement in the Appearance of the Country — Arrival at Braiga — Remains observed there — Harbour of Braiga — Heaps of Sulphurlying on the Beach there for Embarkation — Salt Lake and Marsh at Braiga below the Level of the Sea — Well-constructed Forts at Braiga — Braiga considered as the Site of Automala — Contest between the Avarice and Conscience of the Dubbah — Its Termination in Favour of the latter — Arrival at Tabilba — Excavations and Remains there — Tabilba considered as the Maritime Stationes of Ptolemy — Arrive at Ain Agan — Chain of Salt Lakes and Marshes said to extend two Days to the South-eastward — Island of Gara, probably the Gaia of Ptolemy — Wells of Sweet Water, Two Miles to the North-cast of Shiebah — Abduction of a Lamb from an Arab Shepherd by our Party — Consequences of this Measure — Departure of the Di'ibbah in search of his Camels — Arrival at Carcora — Two Boat Coves observed there — Springs of Fresh Water within a few feet of a Salt Water Lake — Arrive at Ghimenes — Forts and Remains there — Excavated Tombs in the Neighbourhood — Change of Weather experienced — Wasted Condition of our Horses from Fatigue and want of Water — Hardy Constitution of the Barbary Horses — Treatment of them by the Arabs — Improved Appearance of the Country in approaching Bengazi — Singular Fences of Stone generally adopted in this part of the Country — Causes of their Erection — Position of Bengazi — Fertile Appearance of the Country about it — Arrival at Bengazi — Friendly Reception of our Party by Signor Rossoni, the British Resident there— Establish ourselves in the Town for the rainy Season.

'I'he country which we travelled over after quitting Linoof was stony and perfectly barren : no living creature made its appearance there, 2 E