BOOK VI.] History of Nature. 133 



Fleet of Alexander, sailed out of India, about the Mediter- 

 ranean parts of Persls) reporteth, according to the Informa- 

 tion which came lately from Juba : in like manner this 

 Navigation in these years ascertained, is even at this day pre- 

 served. The Reports made by Onesicritus and Nearchus of 

 their Navigation possess neither the Distance nor the Names 

 of the several Resting-places. And to begin with Xylene- 

 polis, built by Alexander, from which they entered first on 

 their Voyage, it is not satisfactorily put down by them, either 

 in what Place it is situated, or near what River. Yet these 

 Particulars are by them reported worthy the Remembrance : 

 as that in this Voyage Nearchus founded a Town : that 

 the River Nabrtis is able to bear great Vessels : overagainst 

 which there is an Island, at the Distance of 70 Stadia : 

 that Leonatus founded Alexandria in the Frontiers of 

 that Nation, by Commandment of Alexander ; Argenus is a 

 safe Harbour: that the River Tuberum is navigable, around 

 which are the Paritse. After them the Ichthyophagi, who 

 occupy so long a Tract, that they were 20 Days in Sailing 

 along by their Coasts. The Island of the Sun, named also 

 the Bed of the Nymphs, is red, and in which almost every 

 Creature is consumed for no certain cause. The Origens : 

 Hytanis, a River in Carmania, with many Harbours, and 

 Plenty of Gold. And here first they observed that they had 

 a sight of the North-pole Star (Septentriones). The Star 

 Arcturus they saw not every Night, nor at any Time all 

 Night long. Furthermore, the Archsemenides reached thus 

 far : and they found Mines of Copper, Iron, Arsenic, and Ver- 

 milion : then is the Cape of Carmania : from which to the 

 Coast overagainst them of the Macse, a Nation of Arabia, is 

 50 Miles. Three Islands, of which Organa only is inhabited, 

 having Abundance of Fresh Water, and distant from the Con- 

 tinent 25 Miles : four Islands in the very Gulf before Persia. 

 About these Islands Sea Serpents, twenty Cubits long, as they 

 came swimming toward them, put the Fleet in great Terror. 

 The Island Acrotadus : likewise the Gauratse, wherein the 

 Nation of the Chiani inhabit. In the middle of the Persian 

 Gulf is the River Hiperis, able to bear Ships of Burden. The; 



