Chapter VI

Entrance of the Syrtis — Extensive Lake, or Marsh, described
by Strabo — Remarks of Strabo compared with the actual
appearance and extent of the Marsh — Remains considered as
those of the ancient Naval Station, described by Strabo, at
the Mouth of the Lake — Appearance of another Station more
to the northward — Gulf of Zuca — Remarks of Signor Della
Cella connected with it — Resemblance of the names Zuchis
and Zuca — Non-existence of the Gulf of Zuca in the Greater
Syrtis — Error of D’Anville and modern Geographers on this
point — Remarks of Signor Della Cella on the terms _Marsh_
and _Lake_, as applied to the body of water mentioned by
Strabo — Dimensions of the existing Marsh — Alleged danger
of crossing it — Insulated spots in several parts of the
Marsh, corresponding with the accounts of Strabo — Arrival
at Sooleb — Appearance of Pasturage in this Neighbourhood
— Liberality of Shekh Mahommed — Cause of it ascertained
— Sooleb occupies the place assigned in modern Charts to
the Gulf of Zuca — Continuance of the Marsh — Remains near
Mahada called Kusser el Jébbah — Story connected with them
related by the Dúbbah — Unwillingness of our Arab Guides
to cross the Marsh — Cause of this ascertained — Narrow
escape of two of our party — Nature of the Soil in this
Neighbourhood — French Inscription left by the Boats of the
Chevrette — Another left by the Barge of the Adventure —
Arrive at Mahàd Hassàn, probably the Turriss Hassàn of
Edrisi — Remains at Mahàd Hassàn — Arrive at Giraff,
where the Marsh terminates altogether — Refractory conduct
of our Camel-drivers — Improvement in the appearance of
the country — Arrival at Zaffrān — Grateful verdure of
its Pasturage — Remains at Zaffrān considered as those of
Aspis — Their nature and appearance described — Port called
Mersa Zaffrān considered as that of Aspis — Difficulties
attending this position — Remains on the Beach — Supposed
Date of the Buildings at Zaffrān — Remarks connected with
them — Castles mentioned by Leo Africanus — Construction
of the Forts at Zaffrān 113