TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
113 
CHAPTEll VI. 
Entrance of the Syrtis — Extensive Lake, or Marsh, described by Strabo — Remarks of Strabo 
compared with the actual appearance and extent of the Marsh — Remains considered as those 
of the ancient Naval Station, described by Strabo, at the Mouth of the Lake — Appear- 
ance of another Station more to the northward — Gulf of Zuca— Remarks of Signor Della 
Celia connected with it — Resemblance of the names Zuehis and Zuca — Non- existence of 
the Gulf of Zuca in the Greater Syrtis— Error of D’Anville and modern Geographers 
on this point — Remarks of Signor Della Celia on the terms Marsh and Lake, as applied 
to the body of water mentioned by Strabo — Dimensions of the existing Marsh Alleged 
danger of crossing it — Insulated spots in several parts of the Marsh, corresponding with 
the accounts of Strabo — Arrival at Sooleb — Appearance of Pasturage in this neighbour- 
hood — Liberality of Shekh Mahommed — Cause of it ascertained — Sooleb occupies the place 
assigned in modern charts to the Gulf of Zuca — Continuance of the Marsh Remains 
near Mahada called Kusser el Jebbah — Story connected with them related by the Dubbah 
Unwillingness of our Arab Guides to cross the Marsh Cause of this ascertained 
Narrow escape of two of our party— Nature of the soil in this neighbourhood— French 
Inscription left by the boats of the Chevrette— Another left by the barge of the Adven- 
ture — Arrive at Mahad Hassan, probably the Turris Hassan of Edrisi — Remains at 
Mahad Hassan— Arrive at Giraff, where the Marsh terminates altogether— Refractory con- 
duct of our Camel-drivers — Improvement in the appearance of the country — Arrival at 
Zaffran— Grateful verdure of its Pasturage— Remains at Zaffran considered as those of 
Aspis — Their nature and appearance described — Port called Mersa ZafFrkn considered as 
that of Aspis — Difficulties attending this position — Remains on the Beach — Supposed Date 
of the Buildings at Zaffran— Remarks connected with them— Castles mentioned by Leo 
Africanus — Construction of the Forts at Zaffrhn. 
On quitting the groves and gardens of Mesurata for the wilds 
of the Greater Syrtis, the first object which presents itself, in the 
level tract of country already mentioned, is the extensive marsh 
described by Strabo as occurring after the Cephalas Promonto- 
rium. It has not now the character of an uninterrupted sheet of 
water, as it appears to have had when seen by this geographer, 
Q 
