CH APTER X.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE GULF AND SHORES OF THE GREATER SYRTIS.
The Dimensions of the Gulf, according to Ancient Writers, considered, and compared with those
resulting from the Observations of the Expedition—Difference in the Statements of the
several Writers quoted—Reasons why a Difference maybe expected in their Accounts—
Observations of Major Rennell on the Measurements of the Ancients—Ptolemy’s Outline of
the Gulf more correct than any hitherto given—Number of Square Miles of Error in modern
Charts of the Greater Syrtis—The Ideas of Ancient Writers (Herodotus excepted) with
respect to the Nature and Resources of the Syrtis (the Territory, not the Gulf of the Greater
Syrtis is here meant) more erroneous than the Dimensions which have been assigned to the
Gulf itself—The General Character of the Syrtis not that of a Sandy Plain—Incorrectness
of the Arab Accounts of what is termed by them the Desert of Barka—Account of Herodotus
considered—Apparent Accuracy of his Statements—Inferences drawn from them—Ancient
Accounts of the Gulf of the Greater Syrtisj dimensions excepted, very correct—Accumulation
of Soil on the Shores of the Gulf accounted for—Apparent Elevation of the General Level of
the Syrtis—Advance of the Sea on the Northern Coast of Africa-Appearance of the Coast
at Alexandria and Carthage consistent with that of the Shores of the Greater Syrtis and
Cyrenaica-Observations of Major Rennell and Dr. Shaw on the Elevation of the Coast of
Tunis, and the Advance of the Sea in that quarter—Observations of Lucan on the Level of
the Greater Syrtis—Dangers of the Navigation of the Gulf of Syrtis considered—Inset into
the Gulf still existing to a great extent-Flux and Reflux of the Sea mentioned by Strabo
and Mela considered—Remarks on the Derivation of the term Syrtis
CHAPTER XI.
The Rainy Season sets in at Bengazi towards the middle of January, and continues with little
interruption till the beginning of March-Miserable Condition of the Town during that period
-Construction of the Houses-lmprovidence of the Arabs-Dirty state of the: S tr e e ts -
Swarms of insects which infest them-Position of Bengazi-Descnption of its Ha rbour-
Castle of the B ey-Visit to Bey Halil-Friendly Reception of our Party by his
Occupations and arrangements during the Rainy Season-The Shekh e1 Belad Mahommed-
Jews of Bengasi-Trade of the Town-Prbduce of the Environs-Wretched state of the
Bullock Vessels—Mahometan Inhabitants of Bengazi—Alarm of the Lower Classes during
our residence there-Confusion resulting from it-M o b collected at our door on this occasion
-N a rrow Escape of Mr. Giacomo Rossoni-Friendly Conduct of our Mahometan Acquaintance
-P a r le y with the Arabs-Dispersion of the Mob-Prejudices of the Arabs respecting the
Treatment of Disèases-Fatal Effects of this species of Folly at Ben'gazi-Prevalent Diseases
in Bengazi and its vicinity—Singular cause of Alarm among a Party of Arab Shekhs
Arab notions of decorum and propriety contrasted with those of European Nations Bengazi
supposed to: occupy the Site of Berenice and Hesperis—Existing Remains there—Little
regard manifested by Turks and Arabs for the'relics of : Antiquity—Probable Limits of
Berenice—Quarries, and singular Chasms in . its Neighbourhood—Gardens of Hesperides—
Position of the Gardens according to Scylax, Pliny,' and Ptolemy—Conjectures of Gosselin
and others respecting them—Circumstances which appear to favour our position of the
Gardens—Lakes and Subterranean Caverns in the Neighbourhood of Bengazi, (or Berenice)
—Concealed Body of Water observed in one of the latter—Examination of the Caverns—
Remarks of the Bey respecting it—The Subterranean Stream in question considered as the
River Lathon, or Lethe—Testimonies of thè Ancients on this point—Supposed Communica?
tion of the Subterranean Stream with the Lake adjoining the Harbour of Bengazi—Signification
of the term Lathon alluded to—Further Remarks in "confirmation of our suggested
Position of the River, and of its probable Communication with the Lake above mentioned—
Remarks of Strabo and Cellarius on the subject—Temple of Venus, and Lake Tritonis of
Strabo—Remarks on the name Berenice—Total ignorance of the Arabs of Bengazi with
respect to the former celebrity of their City—Pleasing little Fable of Kazwini, on the
changes which take place in the Nature and Appearance of Places, and the little knowledge
which remains, after a lapse of time, of their former Condition, even on the spots where they
jj existed - - *jj - . " " - 2 8 1
CH APT ER XII.
Remarks on the Soil of Bengazi and the Country in its Neighbourhood—Distinction of Sex
in the Palm-tree, &c., noticed by the Ancients and by Mahometan Writers—Persian Anecdote
of a Love-sick Date-tree—Remarks of Shaw on the Propagation and Treatment of the
Palm—Arab Mode of cultivating the Sandy Tracts in the Neighbourhood of Bengazi—
Journey to Carcora—Completion of the Coast-line from that Place to Bengazi—Return to
Bengazi, and Departure for Teuchira and Ptolemeta—Description of the Country between
Bengazi and these Places—Remains observable in this Track—Correspondence of the Tower
called Gusser el Towel with that of Cafez, mentioned by Edrisi—Probable Site of Adriane
¿¿Arrival at Birsis—Remains in its neighbourhood, at Mably (or Mabny), considered as
those of Neapolis—Hospitality of the Arabs of Birsis—Remains of Teuchira—Position of
the City—Quarries without the Walls covered with Greek Inscriptions—Teuchira a Town
of Barca—Walls of the City repaired by Justinian—No Port observable at Teuchira—Mistake
of Bruce in confounding Teuchira with »Ptolemeta—Good Supply of freshWater at
Teuchira The excavated Tombs of the ancient City used as Dwelling-houses by the
Arabs of the Neighbourhood—Indisposition of our Chaous (or Janissary)—Route from Teuchira
to Ptolemeta—Remains at Ptolemeta—Port and Cothon of the ancient City—Other
Remains observable there—Ptolemaic Inscriptions—Picturesque Ravines in the Neighbour