348 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



tory with fuch profound judgment, does not deem 

 it to be beneath him, in that of Germany, to re- 

 late the traditions of the weftern Nations, who af- 

 firmed, that toward the North-weft was the place 

 where the Sun went to bed, and that they could 

 hear the noife which he made on plunging into the 

 waves. 



It was from the quarter of the Eaft, then, that 

 the Orb of Day firft attracted the curioiïty of Man- 

 kind. There were, likewife, tribes which directed 

 their courfe toward that point of the Globe, taking 

 their departure from the fouthern part of India. 

 Thefe advanced along the peninfula of Malacca; 

 and, familiarized with the Sea, which they coafted 

 moft of the way, they were induced to form the 

 refolution of availing themfelves of the united ac- 

 commodation which the two elements prefent to 

 travellers, by navigating from ifland to ifland. 

 They thus pervaded that vaft belt of iilands, which 

 Nature has thrown into the Torrid Zone, like a 

 bridge interfered by canals, in order to facilitate 

 the communication of the two Worlds. When re- 

 tarded by tempefts, or contrary winds, they drew 

 their barks alhore, caft a few feeds into the ground, 

 reaped the crop, and deferred their re-embarka- 

 tion till fairer weather, and a feafon more favour- 

 able, encouraged them to venture forth. 



Thus 



