TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI.

•279 that the term has originated with them. As the pecuharities of the Gulfs of Syrtis appear to be more striking than those of the territory within them, it is also probable that the country would have been named from them, and not the gulfs from the country ; particularly as the Phoenicians were a naval nation, and may be supposed (at the early period to which we allude) to have been better acquainted with the Gulfs than with the country here in question.

The Phoenician (or Hebrew) words from which the term Syrtis might originate, are probably the roots of the Arab phrase Sahara (1*5), to which Signor Della Celia appears to allude; but instead of applying them to the country of the Syrtis, as expressive of its barren and desolate appearance, we should rather apply them to the Gulfs themselves, as expressive of the violent storms of wind which are known to prevail in them, and of the agitation and confusion resulting from their influence.

The terms to which we allude are the Hebrew words Saar or Saarat (jrii?p), signifying whirlwind, or tempest; and the root Saar from which they spring, expressive of agitation and disturbance ; Soarah (myo)? tempest-tossed, is also another derivative of Saar.

We have very slender pretensions to any skill in Hebrew, and merely offer the above suggestions for the consideration of those who may be inclined to reject the Greek origin of the term Syrtis ; which, for our own part, we are very well contented to allow, on the authority of the writers already quoted, and on inspection of one of the places in question. It may be possible, however, that some