GORGONES.
Hesiod in his Theogonia, and Hyginus say, that the Gorgones were three Sisters, Daughters to Phocus a Sea-God, who had all three but one eye, serving them all by turns. They had great Wings, and their Head attired with Adders, their Teeth were like the Tusks of Wild-Boar's, coming out of their mouth, and were armed with sharp and crooked Claws. They were named Stenyo, i. e. strong, mighty; Medusa, i. e. care of the State; and Euryale, i. e. having command upon the at Sea. Perseus being covered with the shield of Minerva cut off Medusa's head, which was placed in the shield of Minerva, the sight whereof is mortal, and turns into stones those who look at it, as it befel Atlas.
Fulgentius relates after Theocritus an ancient Historiographer, that King Phorcus left three very rich Daughters; that Medusa the eldest and most powerful was called Gorgon, because she applyed herself very much to manure the ground; that a Serpents head was ascri∣bed to her, because of her prudence; and that Perseus attack'd her with his Fleet, (from whence Poets represent him wing∣ed) seized upon her Dominion and kill'd her; and took away her Head, viz. her Strength and Riches, which he made use of to subdue the Kingdom of Atlas, whom he put to flight; and having forced him to re∣tire into the Mountains, from whence it is said he was metamorphos'd into a Mountain.