Chapter 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
Towēl 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 fresh
Water 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 Neighbourhood of Ptolemeta — Position of the City
— Remains of Bridges observed there — Advantages of its
Site — Extreme Drought at Ptolemeta, recorded by Procopius
— Reparation of the Aqueducts and Cisterns by the Emperor
Justinian — Existing Remains of an extensive Cistern at
Ptolemeta, probably among those alluded to by Procopius —
State of the Town, its Solitude and Desolation — Luxuriant
Vegetation which encumbered its Streets when the Place was
first visited by our Party — Change of Scene on returning
to it in Summer-time 339