TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
73 
in the sandstone rock, and many of which being furnished with 
doors, are used, instead of the usual matamores, as granaries. 
Here begins the tract generally called Zibbi, and the land, rising 
gradually, exhibits a better, though still neglected, appearance, being 
thinly planted with olive-trees, and here and there a vineyard. 
In the vicinity of the Ganema river frequent vestiges of antiquity 
announce the approach to a place once more prosperous ; and in the 
valley of Seyd-n-alli are the remains of some Koman fortifications, 
called by the Moors, the Seven Towers, which from several local 
indications I think must stand on the site of Quintiliana. 
Leptis Magna is situated on a fine level district, of a light and 
loamy soil, bounded by gentle hills. A great part of this plain is 
laid out in fields of corn, pulse, carrots, cf*c., interspersed with groves 
of olive, pomegranate, and date-trees, among which are a few vine- 
yards ; but it is by no means cultivated with the attention due to its 
susceptibility of improvement ; and a great portion of the produce 
is annually destroyed by the gundy rat, and a species of jerboa, 
(probably the ^imug represented on the Cyrenian coins) which 
greatly infest all the grounds, yet no means are used to destroy 
them. The want of enclosures is also greatly felt, the young 
shoots of the seed being protected from the wind only by thinly- 
planted rows of the Scilla Maritima : however, notwithstanding every 
disadvantage, the harvests are generally satisfactory to the moderate 
expectations of these rude peasants. 
Towards the higher grounds there is a good deal of pasturage, 
where camels, horses, oxen, sheep, and goats are reared ; but the 
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