MERGE TO GYRENE. 
511 
a petrified city, and at length attracted the curiosity not only of 
Europe, but obtained universal belief in Africa. It has been deemed 
a species of pilgrimage to resort thither, as the caravan passes, and 
inscribe a blessing for the supposed unfortunate petrified Moslems, 
and with these the pedestals are actually covered. Thus, notwith- 
standing the diminutive size and despicable execution of these bas- 
rehefs, the Turks who accompanied me eyed them with admiration 
and respect, pointing out to my notice that the horses had actually 
four legs, and other similar trifles. Never, in fact, has a palpable 
instance occurred to me, so strongly indicative of the degradation of 
mind inflicted by the Mahometan tenets on its votaries ; nor could 
I but regret to find men, in many respects estimable, so benighted, 
and so glaringly deficient in the discernment bestowed by edu- 
cation. 
“ Ghirrza is situated near some barren hills called Garatilia, and 
from its want of water, and sterile, comfortless appearance, could only 
have been a military post in communication with Thabunte, and the 
stations along the shores of the greater Syrtis. The wadie, indeed, 
may have been formerly well cultivated, being even now covered 
with spontaneous vegetation and flourishing talha, cypress, lotus, 
and other trees. I observed no traces of roads or aqueducts, during 
my short stay, but I was too much occupied with my operations for 
determining the geographical position of the place, to extend my 
researches to any distance*. 
* The position of Ghirrza, and of several of the most conspicuous objects on the road 
to that place from Tripoly, are as follows ; — 
Ghirrza 
