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POST CAPTAINS OF 1824.
the substance of some enquiries I made from the officers of the Bashaw’s army, who went on an expedition to chastise the Bey of Bengazi, a rebellious son of his Highness, and with whom I was on the point of proceeding, but that my operations at Leptis required my personal attendance. I have many reasons for placing considerable confidence in their replies.
“What towns are there between Ziliten and Mesurata, and what are are their names? ‘Between Ziliten and Mesurata there are no towns, but frequent remains of large buildings.’ What description of buildings? ‘The original forms cannot be observed: the Moors have preserved only some wells of good water.’ Have you observed any ruins near Ziliten? ‘Part of an aqueduct near Wadie Khahan[errata 1], and a sort of arch, a little inland.’ What is the probable population of Mesurata? ‘About 90O or 1000, though the Aga who governs can put 1000 cavalriy, and 2000 infantry of the province in a state of service.’ Where are the salterns of Mesurata? ‘The principal are between Zafran and Nahim, though there are others along the Gulf.’ Is the salt mineral or marine? ‘The salt is not mineral, but produced by evaporation in summer; in winter it melts again by more water flowing in.’ But that which I have seen was in long bars? ‘Yes, they cut it in bars for trading, for it is very hard and solid.’ What great towns are there between Mesurata and Bengazi? ‘There is no town or place worthy the name, between Mesurata and Bengazi; nor from thence to Deran.’ How are the shores of the Gulf of Sidra? ‘Generally hard sandy beach, with a low country adjacent, in some parts very rocky.’ Does the Gulf marked on this chart, and called Suca, exist? ‘There is no gulf of that name, the army passed close to the sea where it is marked, and the beach is continuous.’ Are there any ruins on the shores of the Syrtes? ‘Near the above mentioned salterns there are frequent ruins; the most remarkable are to the S.E. of Zafran called Elbenia, and those of Medina Sultan.’ What is their appearance? ‘The former consists of two pilasters with bases of gritstone, and Greek inscriptions much injured. The latter offers vestiges of a large city. There are other ruins at Jhimines and Quabia, two days journey from Bengnzi.’ Does the gulf at the bottom of the Syrtes, called Tinch, exist? ‘It does not; we still continued along the beach; there is however, a large Maremma or marsh, inside where our route led, but it is very hilly beyond it.’ Do you know of any quicksands in that neighbourhood? ‘There is a considerable tract of fine impalpable sand, that mores with tempests.’ What is the situation of the moving sands, and are there marshes there? ‘The moving sands extend from Ain-Agan to Areys, occupying a greater or less width along the coast from the sea, towards the interior; but at Albasce there is a long streak stretching many leagues inland, very fine and of the colour of brick, whereas the other is white as snow, there are some very extensive salt-marshes at Ain-Agan and Bagomora, two hours S.E. of Manhoel.’ What is the nature of the coast in the direction of the moving sands? ‘Only the surface of the coast is covered with sandErrata:
- ↑ Correction: Khahan should be amended to Kháhan
