Chapter 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
may be 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 Syrtis,
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_ 254