The Chott or Sebkha Faráoun almost joins the Chotts of Algeria, and has given rise to one of the most celebrated geographical enigmas of the present century—the _quæstio vexata_ of the Saharian Inland Sea, about which some scores of pamphlets have been written since 1870. The Chott is divided into three distinct portions by the Debdeb or natural bridges. Archæologists would have the uninitiated distinguish in three sheets of water the Palus Tritonis, the Palus Pallac, and the Palus Libyæ of Ptolemy, but any complete and satisfactory identification is of extraordinary difficulty. During the past ten years France has sent two exploring parties to investigate the matter, while Italy has also despatched a special commission, and the conclusion now generally accepted is, that the creation of the inland sea is impossible, and that even if it were practicable, the benefit its existence might confer on North Africa would be very problematical. Sir Richard Wood, C.B., G.C.M.G., Her Majesty’s Agent and Consul-General at Tunis from 1856 to 1878, has written an interesting brochure on the subject.[8] According to Sir Richard Wood, not only is the execution of the scheme prevented by insurmountable natural difficulties, but the attempted identification of the inland marsh-lakes with the lake of Triton is wholly erroneous. He argues with great show of reason that the scene of Jason’s adventure was really the little gulf in the Mediterranean between the island of Djerba and the mainland, which for many reasons may be easily mistaken for an inland sea. The Djerid, an alternation of sandy plains and green oases, is the abiding place _par excellence_ of the date-palm. Its chief towns are Nefta, Tozer, and Gafsa, and the province is undoubtedly one of the richest in the Regency.