138 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



aétual movements of the Ocean. In vain would 

 we afcribe to it revolutions from Weft to Eaft ; 

 never will it have the power of railing any thing 

 above it's level. If certain ports of the Mediter- 

 ranean are produced as inftances, which the Sea 

 has adlually left dry, it is no lefs certain, that there 

 is a much greater number, on the fame coafts, 

 which the water has not deferted. Hear what is 

 faid on the fubjed by that judicious Obferver 

 Maundrely in his journey from Aleppo to Jerufa- 

 lem, in 1669 : " In the Adriatic Gulf, the light- 

 " houfe of Arminium, or Rimini, is a league from 

 '* the fea j but Ancona, built by the Syracufans, 

 '' is ftill clofe to the (hore. The arch of Trajan, 

 *' which rendered it's port more commodious for 

 ** merchants, is fituated immediately upon it. Be- 

 '^ ritta, the favourite fpot of Auguftus, who gave 

 " it the name of Jtdia Felix, preferves no remains 

 ** of it's ancient beauty, except it's fituation on 

 " the brink of the Sea, above which it is elevated 

 " no higher than is neceflary to fecure it againft 

 ** the inundations of that element." 



The teftimony of travellers the moft accurate, 

 is conformable to that of this ingenious Englifli 

 gentleman. His compatriot, Richard Pocock, who 

 travelled into Egypt in 1737, with lefs tafte, but 

 with ftill greater accuracy, attefts, that the Medi- 

 terranean has gained fully as much ground as it 



has 



