himself with our party by having 'pawned the new gold laced burnoose
above mentioned to extricate us from our hazardous situation,
and took every opportunity of making some pompous allusion to the
liberal part which he had acted. The camel-drivers returned to
their duty as usual, and.we continued our journey to Muktahr, where
we arrived on the same day at sunset, just as if nothing had hap-
CHAPTER IX.
Barren and desolate appearance of the Country in the Neighbourhood of Muktdhr—Sulphur
Mines at Kebrit—Extensive Marsh near Muktdhr—Arrive at Sachrln, 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*Phil£eni
—Record of their Patriotism by Sallust—Various Positions of the Philaenian Altars by the
Ancients—Boreum Promontorium and Oppidum 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 Gf 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 Sulphur
lying 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 Avaribe and Conscience of the Dhbbah—Its Termination in Favour
of the latter—Arrival at Tabilba— Excavations and Remains there—Tabilba considered
as the Maritimae Stationes of Ptolemy—Arrive at Ain Agkn—Chain of Salt Lakes and
Marshes said to extend two Days to the South-eastward—Island of Ghra, probably the
Gaia of Ptolemy—Wells of Sweet Water, Two Miles-to'the North-east of Shiebah—Abduction
of a Lamb from an Arab Shepherd by our Party—Consequences of this Measure—Departure
of the Dtibbah 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.
T he country whicK we travelled over after quitting Linoof was stony
and perfectly barren : no living creature made its appearance there,
s E