Chapter XVIII

Observations on the Position of Ras Sem — Remarks of Bruce
connected with this place — Difficulty of reconciling the
several positions assigned to it — Extravagant Stories
related of its Petrifactions, supposed to be those of Human
Beings — Fallacy of these Statements as recorded by Shaw —
Report of Petrified Remains at Ghirza made to Captain Smyth by
Mukni (Bey, or Sultan, of Fezzan) during the progress of his
Excavations at Lebda — Journey of Captain Smyth in search
of the objects described to him — Description of the actual
Remains at Ghirza — Monumental Obelisk discovered there,
and Tombs, combining a mixture of the Egyptian and Grecian
styles of Architecture — Indifferent Taste and Execution
of these Remains — Veneration in which they are held by
Mahometans of all classes, who suppose them to be Petrified
Human Beings of their own persuasion — Geographic Position
of Ghirza determined by Captain Smyth — Further Observations
on the Remains at Apollonia — Return of our party to Cyrene
— Account of that City continued 501