Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/226

 182 NOETH-WEST AFRICA. largely used in decorating their palaces. The quarrying works have been resumed for some years past, and quite a colony of Italian workmen has been established amid the ruins. The mass of marble which projects above the soil is calculated to contain about 875,000,000 cubic feet. The blocks of marble are taken on a branch line to the main railway, and transported to the port of Tunis. In Roman times they were conveyed directly to Tabarca, across the mountains of Khumiria. Below Ghardimau, and connected with it by rail, is the market-town of Siik-el- ArbA, or "the Wednesday Fair," on the right bank of the Mejerda, and in the centre of the extensive corn-growing Dakhla plain. From a strategical point of view Suk-ol-Arba is also of capital importance, being traversed by the route which engineering -skill has constructed between El-Kef and Ain Draham in Khumiria. A small fortified camp has been established at this place to command the passage of the river, which has not yet been bridged. The future value of this position is so well understood that the railway company have made it the central station of the service between Tunis and Suk-Ahras ; yet Suk-el-ArbS, itself still renfeins a mere collection of miserable huts in the midst of large encampments, almost hidden from sight by the surrounding vegetation. On Wednesdays an immense crowd of buvcrs and sellers swarm on the roads which radiate around Suk-el-Arb&, and the following da}' this commercial movement is directed north-eastwards to another station on the plain, called Snk-el-Khinis or " Thursday Market." The old Roman city of Bi(//a Reyin, where the traffic of this fertile African region was centered, lay north-west of Suk-el-Arba, on the western spur of a little chain of hills, now known as Jebel Larbeah. All that remains of this town are the ruins of its fortresses, of a triumphal arch, a theatre, and a bridge. Its hot baths were supplied by a copious stream which has been recently diverted towards the camp of Suk- el-Arba. BeJA — TJtICA — BiZERTA. Beja, the largest inland town in the district bounded south by the course of the Mejerda, is also of ancient origin. But of the old Roman Vacca or Vagn, whence it takes its name, scarcely any remains have survived. Beja is built in the shape of an amphitheatre on the eastern slope of a hill, above a verdant valley through which winds the wed of the same name ; from all parts towards its gates converge broad roads, here and there enclosing small patches of verdure, and scored throughout with blackish ruts formed by the Roman chariot wheels. Beja is surrounded by crumbling walls and commanded by a grey and red kasbah, now occupied by a small French garrison. The lower part of the town, whose appear- ance is still unchanged by the introduction of European buildings, presents nothing to the view except the irregular terraced roofs of its white houses. The principal mosque, consecrated to Sidi Aissa, i.e. " the Lord Jesus," is an ancient basilica, as appears from an inscription on the wall, discovered by M. Guerin. According to the natives, it is the most ancient religious monument in the whole of Tunisia. Except a few dozen Maltese, there are scarcely any foreigners to be met in the streets of Beja, and Europeans rarely visit the bazaar. Nevertheless this town will