within three of the 70 miles mentioned as the distance between Leptis
Magna and Abrotonum. Both these circumstances together will
therefore appear very strongly to favour the supposition that Tripoly
is Abrotonum; while a third, which we have already mentioned, viz.,
that Oea is not stated to be a port by ancient writers, (at least, not that
we have been able to learn,) will contribute to strengthen the idea.
These facts would undoubtedly make it s e e m v e r y probable that
Modern Tripoly is the Abrotonum of Scylax; but then the authorities
of D’Anville and Oellarius,- and these are no slender authorities,
concur in placing that town on the site of Oea, as which we have
accordingly considered it *.
* Supposing Tripoly to be Oea, we must look for Abrotonum in some place as near
to that city as possible; for the distance given by Scylax from Abrotonum to Leptis
Magna will become more and more perplexing as we continue to place it farther to the
eastward of Oea. Tagiura, under this supposition, is the site we should allow to Abrotonum
; but the difficulties which we have stated are against such a conclusion, and we
confess th a t we are unable to reconcile the contending authorities*.
Neither Sabrata nor Oea (as we shall hereafter mention) appear to have existed in the
time of Strabo : the first town which is mentioned by that geographer to the eastward
of the Lesser Syrtis, after the lake Zuchis, and the town of the same name (famous
for its purple dye and its salted provisions), is that of Abrotonum in question ,
No distance is given by Strabo from Zuchis to Abrotonum; b u t the mention of a
lake much smaller than that of Zuchis, immediately before Abrotonum, (as will be seen
in the quotation below,) is consistent with the idea that Tagiura might be the place of
the city intended; for we have stated that there is a lake a little to the westward of
Tagiura-; and although it is of tolerable size, it is nevertheless much smaller than that
of Zuchis, which is estimated by Strabo at 400 stadia.
. In Ptolemy we find A b ro to n um plaeed to «be westward of Oea; and in Pliny to the eastward of Taphra
tor Graphara) neither of which positions tend to simplify the matter in question.
s Men » Si< W xyo, . . .. 0-1 woe - ggji *_t~......- ’*«• »**• ¿ ft* * * '?
< L i b , lT . ^ . r.< r l8 .) It must be recollected that Strabo . . passmg from
west to east, and that this is also the course of the Expedition.
We will not pursue the question further; but will leave our
readers to judge how far Abrotonum may be placed at Tagiura under
the circumstances which we have already stated; merely adding,
that the fertile plains- of Tagiura are admirably calculated for the
position of a town, and that many a pleasant day has been spent
among their villages and gardens by the European inhabitants of
Tripoly, who often make parties to visit them.
We may at the same time contrast the present quiet state of
Tagiura with-that in which it was found by Consul Tully a short
time before the accession of Sidi Yusuf. I t was then considered
necessary, in visiting this place, although during what were called
tranquil times, that the party of the Consul, amounting to upwards
of forty, should be increased by the addition of several of the Bashaw’s
Chaouses ; and it was afterwards reported to His Highness, that he
had had, notwithstanding this prudent precaution, a very narrow
and fortunate escape.
We found the roads to, and through, Tagiura in most places inundated
by the heavy rains which had fallen before the commencement
of our journey; a circumstance which, if it did not expedite our
travelling, had certainly the good effect of rendering it more pleasant,
by cooling the atmosphere and preventing the sand from flying.
This was the more fortunate, as the gardens to the eastward of the
town are bounded by a dreary tract of sandy desert, which we were
obliged to cross. The approach to it was indicated by numerous
hillocks of sand accumulated about the date-trees on the outskirts
of the villages, leaving their heads exposed, at various heights above