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, notwithstanding the diminutive size and despicable execution of these bas-reliefs, the Turks who accompanied me eyed them with admiration and respect, as actual petrifactions, 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 commonest discernment which is bestowed by education.
“Ghirza is situated near some barren hills called Garatilia, in lat. 31° 7' 16" N., long. 14° 40' 50" E.; 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.
“On the 11th, I wished to proceed to Towergha and Mesurata, and thence to Lehida; but we had so many men and camels belonging to Benioleet, that it became necessary to return to that place, which is situated in lat. 31° 46' 38", long. 14° 12' 10". On our arrival there, we found the inhabitants eager to learn our opinion of the petrifactions of Ghirza, and they were evidently chagrined when they found we had brought some specimens away with us, thereby dissolving the favorite axiom respecting the futility of attempting to remove them.
“From Benioleet I went to the north-eastward, in hopes of finding some remains of Talata, Tenadassa, and Syddemis, which were in the chain of communication with the stations of the Syrtis, Cydamus, and the Tritonis; but I met with only a few dilapidated towers, and some uninteresting ruins, which, from the situation, were probably those of Mespe. Thence we crossed the Messellata hills, and near the centre of one of the ramifications observed three slight eminences, which I am inclined to think must have been the Tumuli of the Graces of ancient geographers; though, but for the coincidence of the number, I should scarcely have remarked them. They are about 340 feet in height, and nearly five miles from the coast, thus differing in distance from the ancient account, of 200 stadia; but as the Cinyphus actually rises here, the early manuscripts may have suffered from bad copyists.
“The Cinyphus is now called the Wadie Khàhan, or weak river, an allusion to its sluggish course in summer; though it is still, to a little
