Chap. 1.] OF MA^. 121 



and more particularly, in relation to those peoples which dwell 

 at a considerable distance from the sea ;''^^ among which, I 

 have no doubt, that some facts will appear of an astounding 

 nature, and, indeed, incredible to many. "Who, for instance, 

 could ever believe in the existence of the- Ethiopians, who 

 had not first seen them ? Indeed what is there that does not ap- 

 pear marvellous, when it comes to our knowledge for the first 

 time :'^ How many things, too, are looked upon as quite im- 

 possible, until they have been actually efi'ected ?'-^ But it is 

 the fact, that every moment of our existence we are distrust- 

 ing the power and the majesty of Nature, if the mind, instead 

 of grasping her in her entirety, considers her only in detail. 

 Not to speak of peacocks, the spotted skins of tigers and pan- 

 thers, and the rich colours of so many animals, a trifling thing 

 apparently to speak of, but of inestimable importance, when 

 we give it due consideration, is the existence of so many lan- 

 guages among the various nations, so many modes of speech, 

 so great a variety of expressions ; that to another, a man who 

 is of a diff'erent country, is almost the same as no man at all.-® 

 And then, too, the human features and countenance, although 

 composed of but some ten parts or little more, are so fashioned, 

 that among so many thousands of men, there are no two in 

 existence who cannot be distinguished from one another, a 

 result which no art could possibly have produced, when con- 

 fined to so limited a number of combinations. In most points, 

 however, of this nature, I shall not be content to pledge my 

 own credit onlj^, but shall confirm it in preference by referring 

 to my authorities, which shall be given on aU subjects of a 

 nature to inspire doubt. My readers, however, must make no 

 objection to following the Greeks, who have proved them- 



es These are less known, as being less easy of access to travellers, and 

 it is accordingly in connection Avith these, that we always meet with the 

 most wonderful tales. — B. 



•^ This feeling is well expressed in the old and hackneyed adage, " Omne 

 ignotum pro mirifico" — "Everything that is unknown is taken for raar- 

 Tellous." 



2= Cuvier remarks, that Pliny generally employs this kind of oratorical 

 language when he is entering upon a part of his work in which he he- 

 trays a peculiar degree of credulity, and a total want of correct judgment 

 on physical topics. — B. 



26 Eeing debarred from holding converse, the first great tie of sociality. 



