map to which the Doctor has alluded*. The eastern extremity of the
Gharian chain appears also to be carried too near to the Greater
Syrtis, from no part of which (so far as our experience went) could
any portion of this chain be perceived.
We were unable to discover any remains of antiquity at Mesurata|
but its remarkable position between the fertile regions of the Ciny-
phus, and the barren dreary wastes of the Greater Syrtis, cannot fail
to make it an object of more than common interest to those who
witness the singular contrast.
From the high range of sand-hills, which we have mentioned above,
between the town and the sea, an excellent idea may be formed of
this striking peculiarity of situation, and we often toiled up their
steep and yielding sides to enjoy the singularity of the prospect.
At the foot of these masses, to the southward, and to the westward,
are the varied and cultivated lands of Mesurata f : there are
seen endless groves of palm-trees and olives, among which are scattered
numerous villages and gardens, rich tracts of com land, flocks
of sheep and goats, and everywhere a moving and busy population.
* In illustration of these remarks, we need only refer onr readers to the chart of the
Expedition prefixed, which we may add has been carefully made; but we must observe,
in justice to the compilers of those excellent map which are published in the name of
Mr. Arrowsmith, that no blame can be reasonably attached to them, either for the
extension or the omission alluded to. They could only avail themselves of the best
authorities hitherto existing, and ought not to be made responsible for more than these
actually contain.
•f* The rocky land which we have mentioned, and the sea, form the boundaries of the
sand-hills to the northward.
To the eastward*, a tenantless and desolate waste, without a single
object rising from its surface, lies stretched in one long, unbroken,
line, as far as the eye can range. Not a single tree or shrub is on
that side to be seen; not a single house or tent, not a single human
being, or animal of any description.
In fact the effect of the Greater Syrtis, from this place, is that
of a dreary moor—a wide tract of level, wasteland—without anything
to distinguish one part of it from another but the windings
of a marsh, which threads its dark surface, and is lost in different
parts of the unbroken horizon j-.
Two days before our departure from Mesurata, a strong scirocco
wind set in, and brought such myriads of locusts, that the air was literary
darkened by them. The inhabitants in consequence remained
out all night, keeping up a continued shouting and firing of muskets
and pistols, to prevent them from settling on the gardens and
cultivated lands. They who were not engaged in this occupation,
employed themselves in collecting the locusts which had been beaten
down, and carrying them off in baskets as articles of provision: so
great was the quantity collected oh this occasion, that we observed
many asses, heavily laden with these insects, driven into the town
* The south-eastward would be more correct, for the coast there begins to trend to
the southward.
1* A mote comfortless scene can scarcely be imagined than is presented by the open-
ihg of this celebrated region, xo little known at any period of history. The opinion
which the ancients appear to have formed of it may be inferred from the description of
Lucan, in his account of Gato’s march across it (Pharsalia, book 9.) ; but it will be
seen, as we advance into the regions of the Syrtis, that this description is more poetical
than just.