134 History of Nature. [ BOOK VI. 



River Sitiogagus, upon which a Man may pass in seven Days 

 to the Pasargadae. A River that is Navigable called Phir- 

 stimus, and an Island without a Name. The River Granius, 

 which runneth through Susiane, carrieth but small Vessels. 

 Along the Right Bank of this River dwell the Deximontani, 

 who prepare Bitumen. The River Oroatis, with a difficult 

 Mouth, except to skilful Pilots: two little Islands. Past 

 which, the Sea is very shallow, like a Marsh, but there are 

 some Channels wherein they may sail. The Mouth of the 

 Euphrates. The Lake which the Eulseus and Tigris make, 

 near to Characis. Then on the Tigris, Susa. There they 

 found Alexander keeping Feast-days of Festivity in the 

 seventh Month after he had parted from them at Patalae, 

 and the third Month of his Voyage. And thus much con- 

 cerning the Voyage of Alexanders Fleet. Afterwards 

 from Syagrus, a Promontory in Arabia, it was counted to 

 Patale 1332 Miles, and that the West Wind, which the 

 people of that Country call Hypalus, was thought most pro- 

 per to sail with to the same Place. The Age ensuing dis- 

 covered a shorter and safer Course ; namely, if from the said 

 Promontory they set their Course directly to the River Zize- 

 rus, an Harbour in India. And in truth this Passage was 

 sailed for a long time, until at length a Merchant found out 

 a more compendious Course, and India was brought near 

 for Gain : for every Year they sailed thither, and because 

 Pirates very much infest them, they embark in their Ships 

 Companies of Archers. And because all these Seas are now 

 first certainly discovered, it is not amiss to shew the whole 

 Course from Egypt. It is worthy to be observed, that there 

 is not a Year but it costs our State to furnish into India, 

 500,000 Sesterces, (fifty millions of Sesterces.) For which 

 the Indians send back Merchandise, which at Rome is 

 sold for a hundred times as much as it cost. From Alex- 

 andria it is two Miles to Juliopolis : from whence on the 

 Nilus they sail 303 Miles to Coptus, which may be done in 

 twelve Days, with the Etesian Winds blowing. From Cop- 

 tus they travel upon Camels ; and for the sake of Water 

 there are Places appointed for Lodging. The first is called 



