Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/183

 SFAKES. 149 the cultivable region, at the outlet of the raountuins, between the lyiiuly plain of Aaniru and the iipproaehes to the desert, was never at any time loxt 8ight of; it fonns the converging jwint of two zonen, differing from each other both in appear- ance and iwpulations, A kusbah, defended by guns, protects this frontier town against the incursions of the Ilainamma tribe; but the Tunisian soldiers are now replaced by those of France, and Gafsu has become the capital of a military' subdivision. The people of this town are well educated and, as in the Jerid, 8|)eak a much purer language than that employed on the coast. Columns, inscriptions, and ramparts recall the ancient Roman Capsa, and many a modern structure contains blocks of stone obtained from these ruins. South of the town stretches a planta- tion of over a hundred thousand palms, whose dense foliage overshadows an undergrowth of fruit-trees. These palms are loftier than those of Nufia, and yield a no less exquisite fruit. The Svater which nourishes the plantation yields a constant and copious supply, sj that the people of the oasis have no need to fight for the possession of this precious stream. The three principal springs, ranging in temjKjrature from 84° to 89^ F., full into basins of Roman construction, still known by the name of termil, antl freiiuented by the Arabs, who bathe in its te])id waters, utilising the chambers excavated in the surrounding walls. Those thermal waters contain a large quantity of fish of the chromis species, which by their characteristics are apparently related to exclusively marine varieties. Tortoises and black serpents, of the newly discovered IropidonodiH family, are also found in the basins and streamlets of Gafsa. Like the other oases of southern Tunis, Gafsa is a busy centre of the weaving industry, and its linen and silken haiks, which are exported by the local Jewish traders, are justly admiredma. Along the coast north of Cabes, follow in succession at long intervals camping- grounds and hamlets, in the territory of the MehAdebas, who are the " peaceful descendants of a venerated marabut." The most imjMirtant village on the coast is the now neglected little port of Ma/nrz, whose inhabitants, scarcely a thousand in number, are mostly engaged in making esjMirto gtass into mats and brooms. Beyond this point stands the village of Bogrura, in the midst of the ruins of the Punico- Roman city of Giii/iis. Sfakes. The second largest town of Tunis is Sfakea (S/aks, S/ax), situated on the margin of the strait, about 30 miles broad, which separates the Kerkenna Archii)elago from the mainland. Its population, which Pcllissier calculatwl at eight thousand souls in 1848, appears to have more than tripled since that time. The iKXiple are crowded together in the lofty houses which skirt the narrow streeU of the city,