478 
MERGE TO GYRENE. 
of Bujebara we came to a deep ravine, through which ran the largest 
body of water which we had seen in Africa ; it is called Wady El- 
throon. The sides of this ravine, wliich proceeded from an immense 
fissure between the mountains, were thickly clothed with pine, cypress 
and olive-trees, and the river, which ran with some rapidity, was 
studded with small islands covered with oleanders, which we found in 
full bloom as we passed. Along the brink of the stream was spread 
a beautiful turf, which opened in little plots, broader or narrower, 
according to the nature of the ground, on which we threw ourselves 
down to take a few minutes rest and enjoy a long draught of the 
clear cool water and a short dream of Arcadian felicity. In truth, 
the spot was delightful— we scarcely recollect to have seen a more 
pleasing one anywhere— and to meet with such a scene in an African 
climate was to render the view doubly grateful. 
Ascending the opposite side of the ravine, we entered a country 
fertile in corn and which seemed to be very well peopled ; here we 
found some ruins very much decayed and mutilated, apparently 
those of an ancient town of small dimensions, which, as its situation 
will be found to correspond, we will venture to suggest as the 
Erythron of Ptolemy; and indeed the similarity of the names 
would naturally lead to this conclusion. 
On leaving Elthroon the road took a westerly direction, at the foot 
of the range, through a country well cultivated in some parts and in 
others overrun with pine-trees. At every mile we were interrupted 
by a provoking ravine, which we hardly knew whether most to admire 
for its beauty, or to exclaim against for the serious impediments 
