xxxvi INTRODUCTION. 



intended to contain the pillar that fupported the velum, 

 which covered the fpe&ators from the influence of the fun. 

 It might have ferved for both purpofes, but it feems to be 

 too large for the latter, though I confefs the more I have 

 confidered the fize and conitruftion of thefe amphitheatres, 

 the lefs I have been able to form an idea concerning this 

 velum, or the manner in which it ferved the people, how it 

 wasfecured, and how it was removed. This was the lafc 

 ancient building I vifited in the kingdom of Tunis, and I 

 believe I may confidently fay, there is not, either in the ter- 

 ritories of Algiers or Tunis, a fragment of good tafte of 

 which I have not brought a drawing to Britain. 



I continued along the coaft to Sufa, through a fine coun- 

 try planted with olive trees, and came again to Tunis, not 

 only without difagreeable accident, but without any inter- 

 ruption from ficknefs or other caufe. I then took leave of 

 the Bey, and, with the acknowledgments ufual on fuch 

 occafions, again fet out from Tunis, on a very ferious 

 journey indeed, over the defert to Tripoli, the firft part of 

 which to Gabs was the fame road by which I had fo 

 lately returned. From Gabs 1 proceeded to the ifland of 

 Geiba, the Meninx * Infula, or Ifland of the Lotophagi. 



Doctor Shaw fays, the fruit he calls the Lotus is very 

 frequent all over that coaft. I wifh he had faid what was 

 this Lotus. To fay it is the fruit the moft common on that 

 coaft is no defcription, for there is there no fort of fruit 



whatever ; 



* Boch. Chan. lib. i. cap. 2 J. Shaw's Travels, cap. iv. p. 115. 



