TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
35 
occupy the position of any ancient town, we should suppose it to 
stand on that of Abrotonum. 
But it will be found, upon inquiry, that there are considerable dif- 
ficulties attendant on such a conclusion. F or Abrotonum is stated 
by Scylax to have been two days’ sail from Leptis Magna * ; and the 
distance between Tagiura and Lebida (already identified with Leptis 
ISIagna) is no more than 59 miles. 
The mean rate allowed by Major Kennell, for the sailing of the 
vessels of the ancients, is 35 miles per day ; so that the distance 
between Leptis Magna and Abrotonum should, at this rate, be 70 
miles. It is true that the rate of Nearchus, in the Red Sea and in 
the Persian Gulf, as estimated by the same author, is no more 
than 22| and 30 miles ; but this was occasioned by circumstances 
not attendant on voyages in general, and must be considered (says 
the Major) as an unusually low rate. 
Another difficulty arises from the mention of Abrotonum as a port, 
as well as a city, in the passage we have quoted from Scylax ; for 
Tagiura cannot be said to possess one. 
It will here immediately occur to the reader, that Tripoly has a 
very good port ; and that the distance of that town from Lebida will 
answer remarkably well with the distance of Scylax in question : for 
Tripoly may be estimated at 67 miles from Lebida, which will be 
question might as easily have been brought from Lebida, as the materials employed in 
building the town of Tripoly. 
* Avo ISieccTloKsais, fns ]T§tx(px^(3c 7lo\n. 'Tavln tia.^xtlXyis 
K1C0 Ss AfgoTOvov ‘KoXis xai Xi/a»iv. Tau7n o wocgajrXuf f/itas. 
