with the exception of a single hyaena, and a species of wild bull
which the Arabs call Bograh-wash, both of which ran off on perceiving
us. Our route for the last two days had been over the rocky
ground a little inland, but the coast between Hudia and Muktahr
is low, with sand-hills here and there almost the whole way; and
has many small bays formed between very low rocky flats, which are
in most parts not more than a foot above water.
Muktahr is the boundary of the districts of Syrt and Barca, the
line being marked by small piles of loose stones; and from here
there is a road branching off to some sulphur-mines called Kebrit,
which are situated1 a day and a half to the southward. The sulphur
is brought on camels from these mines to Braiga, where vessels occasionally
arrive to receive it; and it is, probably from that circumstance
that the part of the gulf in this neighbourhood is called by
the Arabs, Giun el Kebrit (Gulf of Sulphur). Near Muktahr is a
remarkable table-hill called Jebbel Allah, and an extensive salt lake
(Esubbah Muktahr), along the edge of which we passed for a few
miles, and then crossing a ridge called Jena, proceeded on a few
miles further to Sachnn, where we pitched the tents for the night.
We had now arrived at the most southern point of the Gulf of
Syrtis, and few parts of the world wiU be found to present so truly
desolate and wretched an appearance as its shores in this neighbourhood
exhibit. Marsh, sand, and barren rocks, alone meet the eye;
and not a single human being, or a trace of vegetation, are to be met
with in .any direction. The stillness of the nights which we passed
in this dreary tract of country was not even broken by the howlings
of our old friends the jackalls and hyaenas, which prowled about our
tents in other parts of the Syrtis; and it seemed as if all the animated
part of creation had agreed in the utter hopelessness of inhabiting it
to any advantage *.
Sachrin may be said to be the bottom of the gulf, and it was here
more particularly desirable to ascertain the exact form assumed by
the coast in terminating this extensive bay. We proceeded therefore,
early: on the morning after our arrival here, to the high land
which we have mentioned at Jerla, for the .purpose of comparing the
actual form of the gulf at this point with that which is assigned to
it by the geographers who.have hitherto described i t., A thick mist
for some time concealed every part, but it cleared off before noon,
and we had then an extensive view of the whole line of coast. We
had the various charts before us, and the opportunity which now
offered itself was as favourable as could possibly be wished. But how
different was the form which now presented itself to our observation,
from that which appeared in the authorities which we were enabled
to compare with it. Instead of the narrow and cuneiform inlet in
* In this neighbourhood was the cave of the formidable Lamia, so much dreaded by
the children of the ancients. It is described by Diodorus as situated in a deep valley
formed in the rocks which occur soon after Automata.;.that is, in .passing, from, east to
west, for such was the course of the army of Ophelias, which is stated by the historian
to have passed it in their route to join the -forces of the tyrant Agathocles. The account
which he gives of this afflicted royal lady, whose misfortunes at.length rendered her so
savage and remorseless, is suph as to render it probable (if the story may be relied upon)
that she really at’ one time existed in this part of Africa. At least the mode in which the
fabulous parts of her history are accounted for appears to be sufficiently rational, and
the place of her residence is very decidedly pointed out—(See Diod. lib. xx. p.
753—4.)