7 



Admitting this to be the case, if we refer to coun- 

 tries, well known in history from the most remote 

 periods of time, in search of objects on which to fix 

 our attention, we are sure of a successful result ; for 

 the shores of Europe, Asia, and Africa afford the 

 most abundant proofs that the sea still rolls its proud 

 waves to the extent of its ancient limits, which it 

 could not do, if it has been and is constantly de- 

 creasing. 



" Upon the western banks of the Tafna, almost con- 

 tiguous to the sea, are the ruins of the ancient Siga ; 

 once the royal city of the Numidian kings.' 5 * 



Its present name is Tackum-breet, the Tebecritum 

 probably, of Leo. 



Of the ancient city of Sher-shell, Mr. Shaw 

 says, " Nothing certainly, could have been better 

 contrived for strength and beauty than the ancient 

 situation of this place. A strong wall forty feet high 

 supported with buttresses, and winding itself near two 

 miles through the several creeks of the sea shore, hath 

 secured it from all encroachments of the sea."\ 



Cape Blanco (in Africa) the Promontorium Can- 

 didum of Pliny, and probably the Promontorium Pul- 

 chrum of Livy, where Scipio made his descent on his 

 first African expedition, is, according to Mr. Shaw 9 

 the same in situation and appearance, as it respects the 

 sea, that it was in the days of Scipio. t 



* Shaw's Travels page 19. t Do. page 39. j Do. page 142. 



