Chapter IX

Barren and desolate appearance of the Country in the
Neighbourhood of Muktáhr — Sulphur Mines at Kebrīt —
Extensive Marsh near Muktáhr — Arrive at Sachrīn, the
southernmost Point of the Gulf — Singularly desolate and
comfortless Appearance of it — Examination of the Coast
from the Heights of Jerīa — Extreme Difference of its
Outline from that laid down in modern Charts — Suggested
Causes of this Error — Accumulation of Sand on the Beach in
this Neighbourhood — Alarm of Signor Della Cella in passing
it — Causes of this Accumulation considered — Character
of the Country at the Bottom of the Gulf — Observations of
Signor Della Cella respecting it — Allusion of the Doctor
to the Expedition of the Psylli — Remarks on the Latitude of
this part of the Gulf — Monuments of the Philæni — Record
of their Patriotism by Sallust — Various Positions of the
Philænian Altars by the Ancients — Boreum Promontorium and
Oppidum of Cellarius — Suggested Causes of their Position
by this Author in the Bottom of the Gulf — Observations on
the Nature of the Soil of the Greater Syrtis — Allusion to
the March of Cato across it — Island called Bushaifa at the
Bottom of the Gulf — Gradual Improvement in the Appearance
of the Country — Arrival at Braiga — Remains observed
there — Harbour of Braiga — Heaps of Sulphur lying on
the Beach there for Embarkation — Salt Lake and Marsh at
Braiga below the Level of the Sea — Well-constructed Forts
at Braiga — Braiga considered as the Site of Automala —
Contest between the Avarice and Conscience of the Dúbbah
— Its termination in favour of the latter — Arrival
at Tabilba — Excavations and Remains there — Tabilba
considered as the Maritimæ Stationes of Ptolemy — Arrive
at Ain Agàn — Chain of Salt Lakes and Marshes said to
extend two Days to the South-eastward — Island of Gàra,
probably the Gaia of Ptolemy — Wells of sweet Water, two
Miles to the North-east of Shiebah — Abduction of a Lamb
from an Arab Shepherd by our Party — Consequences of this
Measure — Departure of the Dúbbah in search of his Camels
— Arrival at Carcora — Two Boat Coves observed there
— Springs of Fresh Water within a few feet of a Salt Water
Lake — Arrive at Ghimēnes — Forts and Remains there —
Excavated Tombs in the Neighbourhood — Change of Weather
experienced — Wasted Condition of our Horses from Fatigue and
want of Water — Hardy Constitution of the Barbary Horses —
Treatment of them by the Arabs — Improved Appearance of the
Country in approaching Bengazi — Singular Fences of Stone
generally adopted in this part of the Country — Causes of
their Erection — Position of Bengazi — Fertile Appearance
of the Country about it — Arrival at Bengazi — Friendly
Reception of our Party by Signor Rossoni, the British Resident
there — Establish ourselves in the Town for the rainy Season 209