reason to believe) that, at a moment when economy had been less imperative than it was at the period of our Expedition, we could have extended our researches farther; we feel convinced, at the same time, that your Lordships would also, at a period more auspicious than that which we allude to, have enabled us to prosecute them with greater effect.

With these impressions, we have the honour to remain,

My Lords,

Your Lordships' grateful and obedient Servants,

Harley-Street, June, 1827.

HENRY W. BEECHEY,

FREDERIC W. BEECHEY.

INTRODUCTION

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

xix

Arrival of the Expedition at Tripoly; pleasing appearance of the Town from the Sea-Friendly

Reception of the Party by the Consul-Interview with the Bashaw, who promises his pro-

tection and assistance-Appointment of the Escort-Visits to some of the Mahometan Resi-

dents in Tripoly-Sidi Mahommed d'Ghies-Preparations for the Journey-Adoption of the

Costume of the Country-This precaution recommended on the experience of the Party-

Visit from the Arab Escort-Description of their principal, Shekh Mahommed el Dúbbah—

Sketch of the Shekh's former Life-Friendly attentions of the European Residents of Tripoly

-Arrival of Dr. Oudney and Lieutenant Clapperton

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

General Description of Tripoly; its Castle and Port-The Buildings of Tripoly commended by

Leo Africanus-Present Condition of the City-Its existing ancient remains - Burial-ground

of the Ancient City-Sepulchral urns of glass discovered there by Mr. Consul Warrington—

Remarks of Leo Africanus on the soil and level of Tripoly in the fifteenth and sixteenth

Centuries-Accumulation of soil since that period-Advance of the Sea, mentioned by

Leo Africanus, still observable on the Coast of Northern Africa-These appearances adduced

in confirmation of Major Rennell's remarks on the Lake Tritonis and the Lesser Syrtis-His-

torical Sketch of Tripoly-Its actual state and improved condition under the present Bashaw

-Abolition of Piracy, and partial discontinuance of the Slave Trade

12

CHAPTER III.

Departure of the Expedition from Tripoly-Passage through Tagiura-Fertile appearance of

the latter-Its Mosque, and actual remains-Tagiura considered as the site of Abrotonum-

Existence of a Salt-water Lake at Tagiura, consistent with Strabo's account of Abrotonum

-Present tranquil condition of the Country in this Neighbourhood contrasted with its

dangerous state in the time of Consul Tully-Sand-heaps to the eastward of Tagiura—

,,

Remarks on their formation, and on the accumulation of Sand in other places-Dangers of

the Sand storm considered-Passage over the Sandy Tract to the eastward of Tagiura-

Arrive at Wady Ramleh-Stormy weather at that place-Take leave of our European

friends who had accompanied us from Tripoly-Continuance of the gale-Arrive at

Wady'm'Seyd-Attempt to pass, without success, across the Sand-hills to the Coast-Arrive

at Guadigmata-Position of Graphara, as laid down by Scylax, considered-Ancient remains

discovered by Captain Smyth in the neighbourhood of Wady'm'Seyd and Abdellata-

Remarks on these, considered as the remains of Graphara-Scuffle with the Arabs at Sidy

Abdellati-Remains at that place indicative of an ancient military station-Cross the range

of Selem-Extensive view from its summit over the fertile plains of Lebida and Jumarr—

Rains still continue-Distress of the Camels-Meet with the English Consul on his return

from an Excursion to Lebida-Report of a troop of marauding Arabs lying in wait for our

Party

I

33

. Arrival at Lebida-Remarks on its position and resources as compared with those of Tripoly

-Short account of the City and its remains-Allusion to the African Tribe Levata (or

Levata) by Procopius-The same Tribe mentioned by Leo Africanus-Suggestions of Major

Rennell on the resemblance between the terms Levata and Libya-Former position of this

Tribe near the Coast confirmed by Procopius-Remarks on the term Lybia-Visit from the

Shekh of Lebida-Violent Storm at that place retards the advance of the party-Intrusion

upon the premises of a celebrated Marábut-Dangerous consequences of this intrusion pre-

dicted by our escort-Departure from Lebida-Remains of the Aqueduct, and of the Cause-

way mentioned by Strabo-Arrive at the River Cinyphus, now Wad'el Kháhan-Remarks

on the River and the Morass in its immediate Neighbourhood-Observations on the faulty

position of the Cinyphus in the Maps of Cellarius-This position probably suggested by some

remarks of Pliny, Ptolemy, and Mela-Extreme fertility of the region of the Cinyphus-

Remarks on this district, and that of Byzacium-Suggestions of Signor Della Cella with

respect to them-Present appearance of the region of the Cinyphus consistent with the de-

scription of Herodotus-Neglected condition of the district under the Arabs-Account of

Lebida and its remains by Captain Smyth

T

50

Arrival at Zeliten-Description of the Village and District of that name-Harbour of Zeliten-

Remains in its Neighbourhood probably those of the Cisternæ Oppidum of Ptolemy-Tomb

of the Marabut Sidy Abd el Salám-Respect shewn to it by our party in passing before it—

General appearance of these Structures-Arab credulity and superstition-Leave Zeliten-

Remains between it and Selin-Arrive at Selin, the Orir, apparently, of Signor Della Cella

-Proceed to Zoúia-Ports called by the Arabs Mersa Gusser and Mersa Zoraig-Arrive at

Mesurata, the Western Boundary of the Greater Syrtis-Description of the Town and Dis-

trict of Mesurata-Account of them by Leo Africanus-Visit trom the Shekh of Mesurata-

Splendid Costume and Equipage of the Shekh compared with that of our Bedouin Guide,

Shekh Mahommed el Dúbbah-Allusion to the report mentioned at the end of the Third

Chapter-Great demand for Medicine at Mesurata-Considerate conduct of Mr. Campbell-

Speedy success of his treatment in many difficult cases- -Miraculous cure of a young Arab

woman by an itinerant Sherif and Marábut-Detention of the party at Mesurata—-Observa-

tions on Cape Mesurata, considered as the Cephalus Promontorium of Strabo-Remarks of

Signor Della Cella on this subject-Alterations proposed by that gentleman in the punctua-

tion of a passage in Strabo descriptive of the Promontory-Actual appearance of the Pro-

montory sufficiently consistent with the account of Strabo-Well-founded Remarks of Signor

Della Cella on the extension of the Gharian Chain, &c.-Extensive View from the Sand-hills

at the back of Mesurata-Singular contrast presented by the view over the dreary wastes of

the Syrtis compared with that over the plain of Mesurata-Hot wind, and swarm of Locusts

accompanying it-Alarm of the Arabs of Mesurata-Precautions adopted by them on the

occasion-Destructive consequences (mentioned by Shaw) resulting from the visit of a flight

of Locusts which he witnessed-Remarks of Pliny on the same subject-Arrival of the

Camels, and departure from Mesurata

81

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-Appear-

ance 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 Hassan of Edrisi-Remains at Mahad Hassàn-Arrive at Giraff, where

the Marsh terminates altogether-Refractory conduct of our Camel-drivers-Improvement

b

in the appearance of the country-Arrival at Zaffrån-Grateful verdure of its Pasturage-

Remains at Zaffrån considered as those of Aspis-Their nature and

appearance described—

Port called Mersa Zaffran considered as that of Aspis-Difficulties attending this position-

Remains on the Beach-Supposed Date of the Buildings at Zaffrán-Remarks connected with

them-Castles mentioned by Leo Africanus-Construction of the Forts at Zaffran

· - 113

CHAPTER VII.

Remarks on the City of Sort, or Sert, of Edrisi and other Arab Geographers-Description of

it by Leo Africanus-Position of Sert, on the authority of Abulfeda-Zaffran considered as

Asna-Remarks of Major Rennell on these Places-Remains at Medinét Sultàn considered

as those of Sort-Columns and other Remains described by Signor Della Cella, in the

Neighbourhood of Zaffran-Train of Argument adopted by the Doctor on this occasion-

Remarks of the same Writer on the Tower of Euphrantas, and the Town of Charax, as laid

down by Strabo-Nature of the Inscriptions on the Columns alluded to by Signor Della

Cella-Formidable Appearance of the Coast at Zaffran-General Appearance of the Country

in its Neighbourhood-Species of Crocus abounding there-Obliging Treatment of our Party

by the Arabs of Zaffrån-Arrival at Medinét Sultan-Description of its Remains-Further

Remarks on the Tower of Euphrantas-Arrival at Nehim-Aukward Situation of Shekh

Mahommed el Dúbbah-Visit of the Dúbbah to our Tent-Object of it discovered-Depar-

ture of Shekh Mahommed, well pleased with the result of his Visit

150

CHAPTER VIII.

Leave Nehim—Arrive at Boosaida-Shekh Hamed Shakshak-Return of Shekh Mahommed-

Revival of the Report above mentioned-Motive for renewing it-Discharge our Mesurata

Camel-drivers-Treaty with the Dúbbah for others-Interested conduct of Shekh Ma-

hommed-Commencement of another Salt-Lake at Sharfa-Easy mode of shifting Quarters

practised by the Arabs-Their manner of travelling-Termination of the Lake-Arrive at

Shegga-Remains of Forts observed there-Other Remains in its neighbourhood-Abund-

ant Pasturage at Shegga-Fortress of Bengerwàd-Peculiarities of its Position-Bengerwàd

considered as the Castle of Euphrantas-Objections to this supposition-Reasons in favour.

of it-Leave Wady Shegga-Cross a Tract of Red Sand-Spacious Bay at Ras Howeijah

-Good Anchorage probably found there-Remains of an ancient Town near Ras Howeijah

considered as those of Charax-Trade of Charax alluded to, as mentioned by Strabo-Further

reasons for placing the Tower of Euphrantas at Bengerwàd-Allusion to the barter of

Silphium at Charax-Emendations of Strabo's Text proposed by Signor Della Cella—Arrive

at Hudia-Alleged Origin of this Name as applied to the place in question-Hudia lately

infested by a formidable Band of Robbers-Precautions of our Arab Escort to prevent any

Attack-Rigorous Measures of Mahommed Bey apparently very necessary-Remarkable Hill