The historical library of Diodorus the Sicilian in fifteen books : the first five contain the antiquities of Egypt, Asia, Africa, Greece, the islands, and Europe : the last ten an historical account of the affairs of the Persians, Grecians, Macedonians and other parts of the world : to which are added the fragments of Diodorus that are found in the Bibliotheca of Photius : together with those publish'd by H. Valesius, L. Rhodomannus, and F. Ursinus / made English by G. Booth ..., Esq.

CHAP. IV.

A Description of Arabia the Desert, Happy, &c. Metals, Precious Stones, Beasts, &c. A Description of Taprobana in the Southern Ocean, now call'd Ceylon or Zeilan. The strange things there. How discover'd by Iambu∣lus.

HAving now finish'd these foregoing Relations, we shall bend our Discourse to the other Parts of Asia not yet spoken of, and chiefly to Arabia. * 1.1

This Country is situated between Syria and Egypt, and is divided into several Nations. On the East the Arabians, call'd the Nabateans, inhabit a Tract partly * 1.2 Desert, and in other Parts without Water, and very little of it there is that bears any Fruit; and therefore the Inhabitants live by Robbing and Stealing, and for that end roving up and down the Countries far and near, they vex the Inhabi∣tants with their continual Incursions and Robberies, it being a very difficult mat∣ter to subdue them. For in the dry Country, they have Wells digg'd in conve∣nient Places, unknown to Strangers, whither they fly for refuge, and are safe: For knowing where the Waters lye hid and private, upon opening of the Wells they are largely supply'd; but Strangers, who pursue them (unacquainted with those Fountains) either perish for Thirst, or falling into many other Disasters, and quite tyr'd out, scarcely ever return home: And therefore these Arabians (be∣ing that they are not to be conquer'd) are never inslav'd, nor ever admit any Foreign Prince over them, but preserve themselves continually in perfect Liber∣ty; and therefore neither the Assyrians antiently, nor the Medes and Persians, nor the very Macedonians themselves, were ever able to conquer them; who, though they often march'd with great Forces against them, yet they ever fail'd in their Designs.

In the Country of the Nabateans, there's a Rock strongly Fortified, to which there is an Ascent but one way, through which a few only at a time mount up to cast down their Fardles. There's likewise a large * 1.3 Mere which produces Brimstone, from whence they raise no small Revenue: It's † 1.4 Five Hundred Furlongs in length, and * 1.5 Sixty in breadth: The Water for Smell stinks, and is bitter in Taste, so that neither Fish, nor any other living thing us'd to the Water can live there. There are indeed great Rivers, whose Waters are exceeding sweet, which empty themselves into the Lake, and yet it stinks howsoever. Every

Year the Brimstone rises up out of the middle of the Mere, some Pieces Two, and others Three Plethras Square in quantity. The greater Pieces the Inhabitants call * 1.6 Bulls, and the lesser Calfs. When the Brimstone swims upon the Water, it re∣presents at a distance the form of an Island. There are apparent Signs of casting * 1.7 up of the Brimstone Twenty Days before; for every where round the Lake for many Furlongs distant, a Steam arises with a stinking smell, and all Gold, Silver, or Brass near those Places, change their natural Colour; but return to their for∣mer, when all the Brimstone is exhal'd. And in as much as all Places near adjoyning are corrupted with a Fire and stinking Stench, it infects Mens Bodies with Diseases, and shortens their days. However this Region abounds with Palm-trees, because it's water'd with wholesom Rivers and Springs. In a Valley thereabouts grows that which they call Balsam: Whence they gain a plentiful Revenue, in regard this Plant grows in no other Parts of the World; which affords likewise excellent Medicines for the Use of the Physician.

The other Arabia adjoyning to this barren and dry Country Arabia, so far excels * 1.8 it, that for its Fruitfulness and Plenty of all other good things its call'd Arabia the Happy. It plentifully produces * 1.9 Calamus and Mastick, and other Aromatick Plants, and breaths out all sorts of fragrant Smells from the Trees, and abounds with divers kinds of sweet Gums, which distil from them. The furthest Parts * 1.10 likewise of Arabia produce Myrrh and Frankincense (so grateful to the Gods) which is carry'd all the World over.

Upon the Mountains grow in abundance not only Firs and Pine-trees, but tall Cedars, Junipers and the Tree call'd * 1.11 Agyreus; and many other fruitful Plants, which yield not only a pleasant Tastle, but a most sweet and delicious Smell to those that come near them. The very Nature of the Soyl it self is odoriferous and use∣ful for sweet Perfumes; and therefore in some Places of Arabia in digging of the Ground they find sweet-scented Veins of Stone Metal, which furnish the Inhabi∣tants * 1.12 with large Quarries, who build Houses of the Stone cut out of these Delphs; and when the Rain falls upon them, the Metal in the Stone melts, and runs within the Joints of the Building, and so binds all together, that the Wall seems to be all of one Piece. In Arabia are found Mines of pure Gold call'd * 1.13 Gold without Fire: For it is not extracted out of the little Pieces of drossy Metal by melting in the Fire as in other Places, but its pure and refin'd at the first digging it out of the Earth, every Piece about the Bigness of a Chesnut, and of so bright and glorious a Colour that this Gold adds an exceeding Beauty and Lustre to the most precious Stones that are set in it.

ARABIA is so rich in all sorts of Cattle, that many Provinces (imploying themselves only as Herdsmen and Shepherds) live fully and contentedly without the Use of Corn. That Part joyning upon Asia breeds vast Multitudes of exceed∣ing great wild Beasts; for the Lyons and Leopards here are far more for Number, and larger and stronger than any in Africa; to which may be added those they call the Babylonian Tygers. It produces likewise Beasts of a double Nature, and mixt Shape; amongst whom are those that are call'd * 1.14 Struthocameli, who have the Shape both of a Camel and an † 1.15 Ostrich. For in the Bulk of their Bodies they are as big as a Camel newly foal'd, having upon their Heads small Hairs and great and black Eyes; in Shape and Colour they are like to Camels, having long Necks, and very short Beaks turning inwards, and sharp at the Point; they have Wings also of soft and hairy Feathers; they are supported with two strong Thighs, and are cloven hoofed, so that this Creature seems to be both terrestrial and volatile, a * 1.16 Land-Beast and a Bird: But being not able to fly by reason of the Bulk of her Body, she runs upon the Ground as swift as if she flew in the Air; and when she is pursu'd by Horsemen, with her Feet she hurls the Stones that are under her, with that Force as if they were sent out of a Sling, and many times kills the Pursuers with the Blows and Strokes they receive. When she is near being taken, she thrusts her Head under a Shrub or some such like Cover; not (as some suppose) through Folly and Blockishness, as if she would not see any or be seen of them, but because her Head is the tenderest Part of her Body she seeks to secure that Part all man∣ner of ways she can; for Nature teaches all Creatures to seek not only to preserve themselves but their Kind; through a natural Instinct and Love of Life prompting them to perpetuate their Species by a constant Propagation.

Those Creatures call'd Cameleopards partake of both kinds, as is denoted by * 1.17 their Name. They are indeed less then Camels, and lower crested; but in their Heads and Eyes like unto Leopards: In the Bulch upon their Backs they resemble Camels; but in Colour, Hair, and in the Length of their Tails they are in Nature Leopards.

There are likewise bred * 1.18 Tragclaphi and Buffels, and many other Creatures of a double Shape, partaking of several Na∣tures; which would require a long Discourse to describe every one of them particularly. For its very reasonable to conceive that by the vivifying Heat of the Sun in the Southern Parts of the World many sorts of wonderful Creatures are there bred. And upon this Account it is that there are Crocodiles and River-horses in Egypt; and great Numbers and divers sorts of Elephants, Serpeuts and other Beasts, and (amongst the rest) Dragons of an unusual Bigness and Fierceness in Ethiopia and the Deserts of Africa; and for the same Reason it is that there are Elephants in India more than elsewhere for their Number, and excelling all others in Strength and the Bulk of their Bodies. In these Parts also are produc'd by the Influence of the Sun, not only several kinds of living Crea∣tures, but divers sorts of precious Stones commendable both for the Variety of * 1.19 their Colours, and their sparkling Lustre and Beauty.

Crystal (they say) is produc'd of the purest Water congeal'd and hardned, not * 1.20 by Cold, but by the Power of the Sun; so that it continues for ever, and receives many Shapes and Colours according as the Spirits are exhal'd.

The * 1.21 Smaragdos and Beryl (as they are call'd) which are found in the Copper-Mines are said to have their Colour from their Mixture with Sulphur: And that the † 1.22 Chrysolite pro∣duc'd by the Heat of the Sun, receives its Tincture from an hot and fiery Exhalation. And therefore its said that those Stones call'd * 1.23 Pseudocrists are made of Crystal calcin'd by the Goldsmiths Fire. By the Heat of the Sun likewise are pro∣duc'd † 1.24 Rubies, which differ one from another as there is more or less Light inclos'd in them in the Concretion. And for the same Reason Birds Feathers differ in Colour, so that some are all over of a Purple Dye, others only spotted here and there. For some things seem red, others yellow, some green, and many of a golden Colour, according to their Position to the Light. To con∣clude, * 1.25 innumerable sorts of Colours (very difficult to be reckon'd up) are occa∣sion'd by this Means; which we see is done by the Reflection of the Sun's Beams upon the Rainbow. Whence the Naturalists do agree, that even the various Colours of Things above proceed from their Diversity of Heat, the lively Opera∣tion of the Sun causing their several Forms and Shapes; and that the various Colours of Flowers, and even of the Earth it self proceed from the Efficacy of the Sun, whose natural Operations the Arts of Men (as Nature's Scholars) do imitate, framing Variety of Colours in Painting and Embroidery: And that as Colours are form'd by Light, so Smells of Fruits, Variety of Tastes, Greatness of living Creatures, and the natural Constitution of every Thing, and the several Properties of the Earth are caus'd by the Heat of the Sun, which makes both the Earth and Water fruitful with its cherishing Heat, and is the Parent of every Creature; and therefore neither the Marble of Paros, nor any other Stone (tho' never so admirable) are comparable to the Stones in Arabia, which exceed all others for Lustre, Weight and Delicacy. This singular Property (as I have said) every thing is cloath'd with by the Power of the Sun in this Region: For by its Heat it concretes, by Exhalation hardens, and by its Light beautifies.

Hence it is that Birds are of a hot Nature, swift of Flight, and deck'd most with Variety of Colours in those Regions that are directly under the Scorch∣ing Heat of the Sun.

For in the Province of Babylon are bred many Peacocks, beau∣tify'd with various Colours; and in the * 1.26 furthest Parts of Sy∣ria, Parrots, † 1.27 Porphyrios, * 1.28 Meleagrides, and many strange Birds of various Natures and Colours. The like may be said of other Parts of the World, where the Climate is the same; as of India, the Parts about the Red Sea, of Ethiopia, and

some Parts of Africa. But the Eastern Parts being richer and more fruitful breed larger and more noble Creatures.

Those Creatures that are bred in other Countries have Natures agreeable to the Goodness of the Soyl. So as to the Trees, the * 1.29 Palm Trees of Africa bear but small and indigested Fruit: But in Coelo-Syria the Dates which they call † 1.30 Cariots, excel all others for pleasant Juice, Sweetness and Largeness. Yet in Arabia and in the Province of Babylon grow far larger than those, in Quantity fix Fingers round, some of a yellow, some scarlet, and others of a purple Dye, delightful both to the Eye and grateful to the Taste. The Palm Trees are very tall, streight and smooth to the Top. The Branches grow near to * 1.31 the Head, but not all in the like Manner. For some have their Branches growing round them on every side here and there and between them, the Fruit bursting out in Clusters through the Bark. Others represent a burning Lamp, their spiring Branches surrounding only one Part near the Top. Others whose Boughs clasp on every Part round the Tree, and guarded on both sides with a double row of tender Sprouts, represent something painted or inscrib'd.

That Part of Arabia lying to the South is call'd Arabia the Happy; the Arabians * 1.32 that inhabit the inner Parts, live Pastoral Lives, and in Tents. They have great Herds of Cattle, and are continually in vast and large Pastures. That Region which lyes between them and Arabia the Happy, is Desert, without Water, as * 1.33 we have before observ'd. The Places towards the West are sandy Deserts, so that all that travel there direct their Course (as Mariners at Sea) by the * 1.34 Bear * 1.35 Star. The other Part of Arabia stretching towards Syria is full of Husbandmen * 1.36 and divers sorts of Merchants. These by their Traffic and Merchandize by im∣porting and exporting plentifully furnish all other Parts round about, with what things they want. That Part bordering upon the Ocean lyes about Arabia the Happy, and there (by many Rivers falling down together) are made many large Ponds and Lakes up and down in the Country: And because large Tracts of Ground are water'd by the Rivers and the Rains that fall in the Summer time, they have a double Harvest. This Place breeds Troops of Elephants and other Beasts of vast Proportion, and likewise of double Shapes and strange Kinds; and also abundance of tame Cattle, especially Oxen and Sheep, which have very great and thick Tales. There are there bred in like manner a sort of Camels far beyond all others (both † 1.37 bare and rough) and the Bulch upon their Backs twice as big as any others, and therefore they are call'd * 1.38 Dityles. Some of these bring in great Pro∣fit both by their Milk and their Flesh. Others, accustom'd to Burthens, will carry † 1.39 twenty Bushels of Corn upon their Backs; which being of smaller Bodies, but swifter than the rest, are us'd to running, and dispatch a vast Tract of Ground, especially in the dry and desert Country.

These Beasts are useful in times of War; for in Battles they carry two Archers sitting back to back, the one to oppose them that attack them in the Front, and the other to repulse such as fall upon them in the Rear. Although this Discourse of Arabia and the Things there bred and produc'd may perhaps seem to be too tedious, yet the observing Reader may find in it many things worthy to be known.

And now we purpose to say something briefly of a certain Island lying in the Southern Ocean, and of the Wonders there, * 1.40 giving first an exact Account by what Means it came to be dis∣cover'd.

There was one Iambulus, from his Youth studious and learn'd. After the Death of his Father (who was a Merchant) he apply'd himself like∣wise to that Calling; but as he travell'd through Arabia to * 1.41 that Part of the Country where Spices most abounded, he and all his Company fell into the Hands of Thieves.

And first he was made a Shepherd, together with another of his Fellow Cap∣tives. Afterwards he was again taken by Ethiopian Skulkers, and carry'd away into the Maritime Parts of Ethiopia. And they were thus stolen and carried away, that (being Strangers) by them they might purge and expiate the Land. For the Ethiopian Inhabitants there had a Custom anciently us'd among them, and appointed by the Oracles of the Gods Twenty Generations before, that is, Six Hundred Years (every Generation comprehending * 1.42 Thirty Years) that the Land should be purg'd by Two Men that were Strangers. They prepar'd therefore

a little Ship, yet sufficient to endure the Storms at Sea, and easily to be govern'd by Two Men: Upon this Ship they put the Men on Board, with Six Months Provision, that (according to the direction of the Oracle) they might sail away in a direct Course towards the South, in order to arrive at a Fortunate Island, where they might find People that were gentle and kind, with whom they might live happy lives. And that if they arriv'd safe at the Island (they told them) their own Nation, from whence they came, should enjoy Peace and Prosperity for Six Hundred Years to come. * 1.43

But if they were affrighted with the length of the Voyage, and should return again, they told them, that like impious Wretches, and destructive to the Nation, they should undergo most severe Punishments. Then they say the Ethiopians kept a Festival upon the Sea-shoar, and after splendid Sacrifices, crown'd the Purga∣tors with Garlands, and sent them away, and so perfected the Purgation of the Nation. These Two Men (they say) being tossed for Four Months together, ha∣ving pass'd over a vast Ocean (after many Storms and hardships at Sea) at last ar∣riv'd at the Island design'd in the Fourth Month.

The Island is of a round Form, † 1.44 Five Thousand Furlongs in Compass. When * 1.45 the Men drew near to Shoar, some of the Inhabitants came to meet them, and brought the Ship into Harbour: Whereupon many more flockt in, and throng'd about the Strangers, wondring how ever they got thither; however they cour∣teously receiv'd them, and entertain'd them with what their Country could af∣ford.

The Inhabitants are much unlike to us in these Parts of the World, both as to * 1.46 their Bodies, and their way of living; but among themselves, they are for Form and Shape like one to another, and in stature above * 1.47 Four Cubits high. They can bend and turn their Bones somewhat like unto Nerves; and as the Nervous Parts after motion ended, return to their former state and position, so do their Bones. Their Bodies are very tender, but their Nerves far stronger than ours, for whatever they grasp in their Hands, none are able to wrest out of their Fin∣gers. They have not the least Hair in any part of their Bodies, but upon their Heads, Eye-brows, Eye-lids and Chins; all other Parts are so smooth, that not the least Down appears any where. They are very comely and well shap'd, but the Holes of their Ears are much wider than ours, and have something like little Tongues growing out of them. Their Tongues have something in them singu∣lar and remarkable, the Effect both of Nature and Art; for they have partly a double Tongue, naturally a little divided, but cut further inwards by Art, so that it seems two, as far as to the very Root, and therefore there's great variety of Speech among them, and they not only imitate Mans Voice in articulate Speak∣ing, but the various Chatterings of Birds, and even all sorts of Notes as they please; and that which is more wonderful than all, is, that they can speak per∣fectly to two Men at once, both in answering to what is said, and aptly carrying on a continu'd Discourse relating to the subject Matter in hand; so that with one part of their Tongue they speak to one, and with the other part to the o∣ther.

This Island is under a most excellent and moderate Climate (lying † 1.48 under the * 1.49 Aequator) neither scorcht with Heat, nor pincht with Cold; there they have ripe Fruit all the Year long, as the * 1.50 Poet says,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Apples and Pears always both ripe and green, With Grapes and Figs may ever there be seen.

The Days and Nights are there always of an equal length; neither is there any Shadow at Noon-day, because the Sun is directly in the Zenith over head. They live divided into Tribes, according to their Kindred, and into distinct So∣cieties; * 1.51 yet so as that there are not above Four Hundred admitted into any one Tribe or Society. They live in Meadows where they are plentifully supply'd with all things necessary for Food by what the Earth produces. For the Fertility of the Soyl, and the Temperature of the Air is such, that Corn (more than e∣nough) grows there of it self. Plenty of Calamus likewise is produc'd there, whose Fruit is like to † 1.52 white Vetches: When they have gather'd it, they steep in it hot

Water, till it puffs up to the bigness of a Pigeons Egg; then bruising it, and rub∣bing * 1.53 it skilfully in their Hands, they knead it into Dough, and then bake and eat it, being exceeding sweet and delicious Bread to the Taste. There are there both hot and cold large Baths, both for the curing and preventing of Distempers, be∣ing * 1.54 exceeding sweet and pleasant. They are learn'd in all sorts of Sciences, es∣pecially in Astrology. They use Eight and Twenty particular Letters, for the signifying what they mean, and Seven Characters, every one of which are form'd * 1.55 Four manner of ways. They live long generally, without ever being Sick, to an Hundred and Fifty Years of Age.

Those that are lame, or have any other weakness or infirmity of Body (accor∣ding * 1.56 to the severe Law of their Country) they put to Death. They write not cross over the Sheet as we do, but begin at the top of the Leaf, and go on in one direct Line down to the Bottom. They have a Law that they may live to such a certain number of Years, and when those are run up, they dispatch themselves by a strange kind of Death; for there's an Herb of a double nature, that grows among them, upon which, if any one lies down, he silently passes away and dies, without any sense of pain, as if he were in a sweet Sleep. They never marry, but make use of Women promiscuously, and breed up the Children so begotten (as common to them all) with equal care and affection to one as well as to another. The Children while they are tender Infants are often chang'd by the Nurses, that they cannot be known by their Mothers; and therefore by that means there being no Ambition among them, they live in great concord and amity, without any Sedi∣tions or Tumults. There are Beasts among them very small, but of an admirable property as to their Flesh, and the excellent virtue that is in their Blood. Their * 1.57 Bodies are round, and something like to a Tortoise, divided by Two Streaks which run down the Back; at each end of every Streak they have an Eye and a Mouth; so that they have Four Eyes to see with, and Four Mouths to feed with; but the Meat they eat, is convey'd through one Throat, and hence into the Belly, the common Receptacle of all: And so in like manner they have but one Gut, nor but one of every other of the inner Parts: They have many Feet plac'd round their Bodies, and make use of them to go on what side they will. There's a marvelous virtue in the Blood of this little Creature, for it presently at an in∣stant closes all Cuts and gaping Wounds in every Body that has still life in it; and if a Hand, or any other Member of that kind (that is not Vital) be cut off, by the application of this Blood (while the Wound continues green) it heals up again.

Each Society of these Inhabitants do keep many great Birds of a singular Na∣ture, * 1.58 by which they try the Courage of their Children; for they place them upon the Birds Backs, and as many of them as sit fast when the Birds take their Flight, they bring up; but those that faint and are terrify'd, they throw away, as such that can never indure hardship any long time, nor have any generous Spirit in them.

In every Tribe or Society, the eldest governs the rest as King, and all yield him perfect Obedience: If the first put himself to Death (according to the Law) after he has liv'd a Hundred and Fifty Years, the next to him in age succeeds in the chief Command and Authority.

The Sea that surrounds this Island is very rough, and causes very great and high Tides, but the Water is fresh and sweet. The * 1.59 Bear Star, and many other visible with us, are never seen here.

These Islands are Seven in number, equal in bigness one to another, and of the * 1.60 same distance one from another, and the same Laws and Customs are us'd in all of them: And though these Islands afford plenty of Provision out of the natural growth of the Country to all the Inhabitants, yet they use them not luxuriously, but are frugal, and gather only so much as will serve their turns. They do in∣deed cook for themselves Flesh-meat, and all other sorts of Victuals both rosted and boil'd, but as for Sauces, and other delicate Inventions of that kind by Cooks, and the various Tasts and Savours contriv'd for curious Pallats, they are altoge∣ther ignorant of them.

For Gods they worship especially the whole frame of Heaven, because it com∣prehends * 1.61 all things; and next to that the Sun, and then all the Celestial Bodies. By various ways of Fishing and Fowling, they catch Fish and Fowl of all sorts. * 1.62 There are among them abundance of Fruit-Trees, and Vines, and Olive-Trees, whence they draw great quantity of Oil and Wine.

Here are exceeding great Serpents, which yet do no harm to any; nay, their * 1.63 Flesh is good Meat and very sweet. They make their Garments of a soft and fine Cotton, contain'd in certain Reeds and Canes. This Cotton they dye with the Shell-Fishes call'd Ostreses, made up in Balls, and mixt and wrought amongst the Wool, and so with great pains make themselves Garments of a Purple Co∣lour.

It produces living Creatures of different Natures from all others, and even in∣credible because they are unusual.

Their way of Feeding is according to a prescrib'd Rule; for they do not eat all * 1.64 sorts of Meats together at one and the same time, nor the same always; but up∣on some certain Days Fish, other Fowl, sometimes the Flesh of Land-Cattel, at other times Olives, and on other Days, very low and mean Diet. They help one another in their Callings and Imployments by turns: Some imploy themselves in Fishing; others in Manufactures, and others in other things useful and profitable to the Commonwealth. Some at certain times do exercise publick Offices, ex∣cept those that are grown old. Upon their Festival Days, and times of Invoca∣tion upon their Gods, they celebrate their Praises both in Acclametions and Songs; especially the Sun, to whom they devote themselves and their Islands.

Their Dead they carry to the Sea-shoar at the Fall of the Tide, covering them * 1.65 with a little Sand, that at the time of Full Sea heaps of Sand may be rais'd higher upon them.

Those Canes whence they gather Fruit to eat, are the Compass of a Crown in thickness; they say, that towards the Full of the Moon they increase, and to∣wards the New Moon they proportionably decrease.

The Water of their hot Springs is sweet and wholsom, and ever continues warm, never growing cold, unless it be mixt with Wine or cold Water.

After Iambulus with his Companion had continu'd in this Island Seven Years, they were (as wicked and vile Fellows) ejected. Having therefore their Ship fitted out, and furnish'd with Provision, they set Sail, and after they had continu'd their Voyage for above Four Months together, they fell at length upon the Sandy shallows of India, where Iambulus his Companion was drown'd, and he himself was afterwards cast upon a certain Village, and forthwith carried away by the Inhabitants of the Place, to the King, then at a City call'd Polybothia, many Days Journey distant from the Sea; where he was kindly receiv'd by the King, who had a great love for the Grecians, and was very studious in the liberal Sciences. At length (having obtain'd Provision from the King) he first sail'd into Persia, and thence safely arriv'd in Greece. This Iambulus committed all these Adventures to Writing, and gave an account of many things relating to the Affairs of India, be∣fore unknown to Strangers. But having now perform'd what we promis'd in the beginning of this Book, we shall here make an end.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Arabia.
• * 1.2

  Nabateans, a Desert, dry and barren Country.
• * 1.3

  The Lake of Sodom, or Dead-Sea and Asphaltes.
• † 1.4

  60 Miles.
• * 1.5

  Betwixt 7 and 8 Miles. Josephus in lib. of the Wars of the Jews, Book 5, c. 5. says it's 580 Furlongs long, and 150 broad, ex∣tending in length to Zoar in Arabia.
• * 1.6

  Plethra 200 or 300 Foot.
• * 1.7

  The Lake As∣phaltes, or So∣dom. P. 93.
• * 1.8

  Arabia the Happy.
• * 1.9

  The Bark of a sweet Cane.
• * 1.10

  Mastick, Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Schi∣nus.
• * 1.11

  Gyratus.
• * 1.12

  Metals.
• * 1.13

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.14

  Ostrich-Ca∣mels.
• † 1.15

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. I. 10. c. 1.
• * 1.16

  P. 94.
• * 1.17

  Camel-leo∣pards. Vid. Plin. Na. Hist. lib. 8. c. 18.
• * 1.18

  Tragelaphi, Buffels. Tragelaphi, Goat Harts bred near the River Phasis in Colchis. Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 8. c. 33. Buffels or Buffs. Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 8. c. 34.
• * 1.19

  Pretious Stones.
• * 1.20

  Crystal.
• * 1.21

  The Emerald of a green Colour: and so the Beryl, but sometimes of a Gold Colour.
• † 1.22

  Chrysolite of a Golden Colour.
• * 1.23

  Pseudocrists, counterfeit Gold or counterfeit Golden Colour.
• † 1.24

  Rubies call'd Carbuncles.
• * 1.25

  P. 95.
• * 1.26

  Eastern Parts.
• † 1.27

  Porphyrio, see Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 10. c. 46.
• * 1.28

  Meleagrides, sorts of Turky-Cocks or Hens in Africa, into which the Sisters of Meleager were trans∣form'd for their immoderate Mourning for him. Ovid. Met. lib. 8. Vid. Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 10. c. 26.
• * 1.29

  Date Trees.
• † 1.30

  Cariots, so call'd because the wine made of the Juice is hurtful to the Head. Plin. N. H. l. 13. c. 4.
• * 1.31

  Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 13. c. 4.
• * 1.32

  Arabia the Happy.
• * 1.33

  Arabia the Desert.
• * 1.34

  Artic Pole.
• * 1.35

  P. 96.
• * 1.36

  Sandy Arabia.
• † 1.37

  Hairy and smooth.
• * 1.38

  Double∣bulch'd.
• † 1.39

  Ten Medim∣nas.
• * 1.40

  Taprobana, now Ceylon or Zeilan, in Scripture call'd Ophir, as Bocha•••• proves.
• * 1.41

  This Island describ'd by Plin. Nat. Hist. lib. 6. c. 22. The Discovery by Iambulus.
• * 1.42

  Thirty Years a Gene∣ration.
• * 1.43

  P. 97.
• † 1.44

  About Eight Hundred Miles.
• * 1.45

  The shape of the Island.
• * 1.46

  The Inhabi∣tants.
• * 1.47

  Six Foot.
• † 1.48

  near ra∣ther.
• * 1.49

  The Climate.
• * 1.50

  Himer.
• * 1.51

  Divided into T〈…〉〈…〉s.
• † 1.52

  〈…〉〈…〉ed E••••e.
• * 1.53

  Their Bread.
• * 1.54

  Baths. P. 98.
• * 1.55

  Characters. Long liv'd.
• * 1.56

  Customs and Laws.
• * 1.57

  A little Beast strange.
• * 1.58

  Great Birds carry Chil∣dren.
• * 1.59

  The Pole Artick.
• * 1.60

  Here seems something to be wanting. Their Fruga∣lity.
• * 1.61

  Worship.
• * 1.62

  P. 99.
• * 1.63

  Great Ser∣pents.
• * 1.64

  Dyet.
• * 1.65

  Burials.