hoona* range and extends to the sea. From the top of S61em there
is an extensive view westward, over the plain of Jumarr, as far as the
sandy desert; and on the eastern side of the ridge there is another
view, equally imposing, over the plain of Lebida; so that in spite of
the torrents of rain, which still continued to deluge us, we could not
help stopping occasionally to admire them.
From the summit of this range we noticed several remains of what
appeared to be towers, conspicuously situated on the peaks of the
hills to the northward; and which, from the strength of their position,
might have bid defiance to any attack that could be made upon
them: their situations appear to have been chosen with the intention
of their being easily distinguished one from another, so as to answer
the purpose of communication. The valleys of this range are capable
of the highest degree of cultivation, but their fertility has only been
partially taken advantage of by the Arabs of the neighbourhood.
In some of them we noticed vines and olive-trees flourishing most
luxuriantly between patches of ground producing com and vegetables.
Descending on the eastern side of the range, the road lies along the
side of the mountain, and several ruins of forts and tombs are conspicuous
on either side of i t : here also are several remains of ancient
wells, and we noticed one, in particular, which had fragments of
marble columns lying near it. During the whole of this day the
road was so slippery, in consequence of the heavy rains, that our
camels could with difficulty proceed: they were continually falling
* The Terhoona range is a branch of the Gharian.
under their burthens, and the alarm which their unsteady footing
occasioned them added greatly to the distress of their situation. In
the evening we pitched our tents in a valley about a mile from Mer-
gip tower, where we met the English Consul on his return from an
excursion to Lebida: he informed us of a report which was in circulation
at that place, of a troop of marauding Arabs being in wait
for our party two days south of Mesurata. This report was corroborated
by Shekh Mahommed el Dubbah, who seemed inclined to
make it of some importance.
We suspected, from the Shekh’s manner, that he had himgplf
circulated this story to enhance the value of his protection ; and we
were determined in consequence not to appear to believe it. As we
did not however think it right to omit some precautions, in the
event of the report proving after all to be tme, we requested the
Consul to mention it when he returned to the Bashaw; who might
then take whatever measures he should judge to be necessary on the
occasion.