INTRODUCTION. xxvii 



ly the Mauritania Csefarienfis, whofe capital, Conftantina, is 

 the ancient metropolis of Syphax. It was called Cirta *, 

 and, after Julius Csefar's conqueft, Cirta Sittianorum, from 

 Caius Sittius who firft took it. It is fituated upon a high s 

 gloomy, tremendous precipice. Part only of its aqueduct 

 remains : the water, which once was carried into the town, 

 now fpills itfelf from the top of the cliff into a chafm, or 

 narrow valley, above four hundred feet below. The view 

 of it is in the King's collection ; a band of robbers, the 

 figures which adorn it, is a competition from imagination ; 

 all the reft is perfectly real. 



The Bey was at this time in his camp, as he was making 

 war with the Hanneifhah, the moft powerful tribe of Arabs 

 in that province. After having refremed myfelf in the 

 Bey's palace I fet out to Seteef^ the Sitifif of antiquity, the 

 capital of Mauritania Sitifenfis, at fome diftance from which 

 I joined the Bey's army, confirming of about 12,000 men, with 

 four pieces of cannon. After Haying a few days with the 

 Bey, and obtaining his letters of recommendation, I proceed- 

 ed to Taggou-zainah, anciently Diana Veteranorum:):, as we 

 learn by an infcription on a triumphal arch of the Corin- 

 thian order which I found there. 



From Taggou-zainah I continued my journey nearly 

 ftraight S. E. and arrived at Medrafhem, a fuperb pile of 

 building, the fepulchre of Syphax, and the other kings of 

 Numidia, and where, as the Arabs believe, were alfo depo- 



d 2 fited 



* Pcol. Geog. lib, iv. p. i n. f Ptol. Geog. lib. iv. p. 108- 



X Vide Itia. Anton." 



