TRIPOLY TO BENGAZI. 
139 
The little port of this name is the first which occurs in passing 
eastward from the Cephalas Promontorium, and the remains of 
building which are found there, on the beach, will authorize the 
conclusion that it has been used as such by the ancients*. 
Its present appearance wiU however by no means entitle it to the 
distinction of KoXhia-rog, (bestowed by Strabo upon Aspis, or the port 
which succeeds it) ; for the Gulf of Syrtis, though ill supplied with 
conveniences of this nature, has certainly ports of more consideration 
than Mersa Zaffran. 
We must at the same time recollect that the space required for the 
vessels of the ancients was much less than would be necessary for 
those of the present day, and the depth of water required for them 
comparatively inconsiderable. The port at Zaffran is also much 
less than formerly, and, like that at Lebida, nearly fiUed up with 
sand ; so that although it cannot now be considered as a good one 
(nor, indeed, in the present acceptation of the term, as any port at 
all) it may certainly have afforded very good shelter and accommo- 
dation for vessels such as those of the ancientsf. The remains on 
Syrtis (travelling eastward) which can be considered as an ancient site. Strabo’s lake 
finishes at Sooleb, but there are no remains of building in the neighbourhood of that 
place, nor between it and Mahad Hassan. 
* The naval station above mentioned, at the junction of Strabo’s lake with the sea, is 
not styled Xt/ju-nv, but u(poqi^os ; and we may conclude from this circumstance that it was 
formed by art, and not by any of those peculiarities of coast which usually constitute a fort. 
t It is formed by a rocky projection, which appeared to have been partly natural 
and partly artificial ; and though its inconsiderable size would not allow vessels in it to 
ride clear of the surf in a gale of wind, yet in moderate weather there would be quite 
sufficient shelter for them to load and unload ; and in the event of a gale they might 
easily have been hauled up on the beach. — See the plan of Mersa Zafi’ran annexed. 
