MERGE TO GYRENE. 405 CHAPTER XV.

JOURNEY FROM MERGE TO GYRENE.

Departure from Merge Deep Marks of Chariot-wheels on the Stony Road indicative of an ancient Track — Valley of Bograta— Ancient Wells observed there— Valley of Hareebe Beauty and Luxuriance of the Country continue — Roses of the Cyrenaica mentioned by Athenaeus as celebrated for the excellence of their Perfume — Oil (or Ointment) of Roses made at Cyrene in the time of Berenice (probably the Daughter of Magas)— Difficulty and Danger of some Parts of the Road — Apprehensions of our Arab Conductors — They appear to have been groundless— Arrive at Margad— Bad State of the Road continues— Quarrel between Abou-Bukra and one of our Servants— Consequences of the Quarrel— Departure of Abou-Bukra — Continue our Route alone and succeed in finding the right Track — Return of Abou-Bukra and his people — Satisfactory Termination of the Disturbance — Oppressive Sirocco Wind — Nature of the Country on approaching Cyrene — First Appearance of a Plant resembling the Daucus, or Wild Carrot — Resemblance of this Plant to the Silphium, as expressed on ancient Coins — Points in which it differs from it — Remarks on the Silphium as mentioned by ancient Writers— Testimony of Herodotus, Arrian, Theophrastus, Pliny, Athenaeus—Bill of Fare of the Kings of Persia, stated by Polyaenus to have been discovered in the royal Palace by Alexander the Great — Silphium mentioned in this among other articles of Food— Description of the Plant by Theophrastus and Pliny— Celebrity and Scarcity of the Silphium and of the Extract from it — Extraordinary Cause of the first Appearance of the Silphium in the Cyrenaica, as mentioned by Pliny on the authority of Greek AYriters— Effects produced by the Plant on the Sheep and Cattle who were allowed to eat it — Similar Effects pioduced by the Plant observed by the Expedition on Camels — Extraordinary Medicinal Qualities imputed to the Silphium by Pliny — The use of it recommended by the Roman Naturalist as a sovereign remedy for almost everything but the Tooth-ache— Fatal Consequences recorded by Pliny, of applying it in the Case last mentioned— Silphium offered by the People of Cyrene to their first King Battus, as the most valuable Production of their Country— State in which the Plant observed by the E.xpedition most resembles the Silphium on the Coins of Cyrene — Partition of the Road from Merge to Cyrene— Extensive Traces of Building observed along the ancient, or lower Road — Approach to Cyrene indicated by innumerable Sarcophagi and Tombs — Position of these along the sides of the Roads, as observable at Pompeii and other ancient Towns — Frequent Traces of Chariot-wheels still observable along the Roads, deeply indented in the rocky Soil of the Place — The earlier Tombs distinguished by their simplicity and good taste — The later by a more ornamented and less perfect style — Busts and Statues scattered everywhere about among the Tombs — Difference of Style and Character observable in these — Remains of an Aqueduct — Fountain of Cyrene.