TRTPOLY TO BENGAZI. 65 ambiguity ; and the habit of doubting every statement of an author which does not coincide with our own ideas and observations, is scarcely to be indulged without danger to the cause of truth.

We had determined on our return (among other things which we had no time to examine minutely in advancing) to trace the river Khhan to its source, and thus decide the point beyond dispute ; but unforeseen circumstances prevented our returning by way of Tripoly, and the promised examination never took place. We will not therefore venture decidedly to assert that this stream does not rise to the southward of the chain of hills above mentioned ; but we should certainly be surprised (from the view which we had of this range in passing) to learn hereafter that it had been proved, by local ’ observation, to have its source in the mountains farther inland. We may observe, at the same time, that the distance of the Terhoona * range from the coast, as it is laid down by Captain Lyon, will answer tolerably well to that of the 200 stadia at which Herodotus has placed his Hill of the Graces from the sea ; taking the stade of this geographer at 732 to a degree, or 10 1 to a common English mile, which is the mean allowed by Major Eennell to the stade of Herodotus. There are, however, several other inferior chains of hills (besides the one nearest to the coast) between the Terhoona range and the sea ; and we scarcely think it possible that the Cinyphus * The Terhoona range is a branch of the Gharian, and may be reckoned, in the part opposite Lebida, to be about eighteen geographical miles from the sea, on the authority of Capt. Lyon’s chart.

K *