502 MERGE TO GYRENE.

is alluded to by Shaw and Bruce is not, as we have stated, on any part of the coast, but lying at a distance of several days from it, that is to say, south of Bengazi ; and Bruce translates the name which has been given to it differently, calling it the Fountain and not the Head of Poison, as Eas Sem is commonly interpreted ; probably from the indifferent quality of the water which he found there in a very disagreeable spring impregnated M'ith alum. We are not prepared to reconcile the different positions assigned to the fountain or the promontory in question ; but have chiefly adverted to it on account of the fictions which have been circulated with respect to its alleged petrifactions. It appears, as reported by a Tripoline Ambassador resident in London about an hundred years ago, on the authority of a friend of his, a person of great veracity, and of a thousand other people besides— all, no doubt, of equal respectability— that “ a large town was to be seen at Eas Sem, of a circular figure, w hich had several streets, shops, and a magnificent castle belonging to it.” “ Olive and palm trees were found there, among others, turned into a bluish or cinder coloured stone, and men were conspicuous in different attitudes, some of them exercising their trades and occupations, others holding stuffs, bread, &c., in their hands. Women at the same time were observed giving suck to their children, or busy at the kneading trough or other occupations. A man was to be seen on entering the castle lying upon a magnificent bed of stone, and guards were still visible standing at the doors armed with their pikes and spears. Animals of different sorts (nay, the very dogs, cats and mice) were observed by some persons converted into stone, and all of the