257 
The islands of Kerkeni are two in number, and are 
situated at a small distance from the coast of Tunis; a 
channel separates them. They are very low, and are 
hardly conspicuous above the sea. We saw there some 
date trees. Our captain went several times on shore. 
It is said that it is difficult to land on these islands, be- 
cause even the smallest boats run aground as the water 
is so very shallow, and there are only a few points where 
landing is practicable, and these are known only to ex- 
perienced pilots. 
These islands are known by the name of Karguena, 
to their inhabitants, and to those of the neighbouring 
coasts; and not by the name of Kerkeni, as they are men- 
tioned on the maps. 
The doubts which I had concerning the longitude of 
the island of Lampedusa, affect likewise the position of 
these islands, and will be discussed in the scientific part 
of this work. The latitude of the average point between 
the two islands is $4,°3$, which differs but little from 
the maps. 
These islands contain no rivers nor springs. The in- 
habitants are obliged to make use of rain water, and it is 
so scarce that we were forced to obtain it in small pots 
and bottles from several inhabitants, in order to take some 
of it on board. 
These islands are nearly naked rocks, and scarcely 
produce any other vegetation than palm trees. The na- 
tives are therefore very miserable; they have hardly any 
thing to eat but the fruit and marrow of the date tree, 
the palm-tree (palma christi) and some fish which they 
dry, in order to have a provision of it throughout the 
year. 
