510 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. ' 



there was a superfice of 6000 square kilometers capable of 

 inundation, embraced between 34 36' and 33 51' 3SF. latitude, 

 and 3 40' and 3 51' E. longitude. In the central portion 

 the depth below the level of the sea varies from twenty 

 to twenty-seven meters. None of the large and beautiful 

 oases of Souf would be submerged, Debila, the lowest of 

 all, being fifty-eight meters in altitude. In the Oued Rhir 

 the very inconsiderable and valueless oases of Necira and 

 Dendouga would alone be covered. 



The fear had been expressed that the invasion by the sea 

 of the Chott Melrir would produce an infiltration, and thus 

 destroy a portion of the wells that fertilize the oases. There 

 being a large number of the wells situated not only in the 

 Souf, but in the region around and in the vicinity of the 

 basin of depression, it was found that they were all, without 

 exception, fed from a stream above the level of the sea. 



It was not thought practicable to investigate the frontier 

 of Tunis, and consequently only the western point of the 

 Chott Rharsa could be examined. It was ascertained, how- 

 ever, that this chott was below the level of the Mediterra- 

 nean, and that it has a decided inclination toward the Gulf 

 of Gabes. It was also found that the deepest basins of the 

 Chott Melrir and of the Chott Rharsa, although united by 

 the Chott Asloudj, had no direct communication at the pres- 

 ent time, being cut off by sand downs. The distance, how- 

 ever, between the two basins is but about twenty kilometers, 

 and could be easily opened by a canal. The plan would be 

 to fill the Chott Rharsa, and then unite it to the Chott Mel- 

 rir by a section, by which the waters, in flowing through, 

 would soon enlarge the passage to the necessary dimensions. 

 The Tunisian and Algerian basins might be inundated suc- 

 cessively, the time necessary for filling being notably dimin- 

 ished from the fact that during the first part of the operation 

 the surfaces submitted to evaporation would be reduced by 

 one half. 



Captain Roudaire thinks the general problem of an inte- 

 rior sea will be solved as soon as the Tunisian portion is 

 thoroughly investigated, its depth and the relief of the Isth- 

 mus of Gabes throughout its entire extent being necessary. 

 This question, however, is not likely to remain long undeter- 

 mined, as an Italian commission has been taking levels in 



