BOOK II.] History of Nature. 147 



the Breadth of the Earth, from the Meridian Point to the 

 North, is collected to be less almost by One-half; that is, 

 5462 Miles. Whereby it appeareth plainly, how much of 

 the one Side the Heat of Fire, and on the other Side frozen 

 Water hath stolen away. For I am not of opinion that the 

 Earth goeth no further than this ; for then it would not have 

 the Form of a Globe ; but that the Places on either Side be 

 uninhabitable, and therefore not discovered. This Measure 

 runneth from the Shore of the Ethiopian Ocean, where now 

 it is inhabited, to Meroe, 550 Miles. From thence to 

 Alexandria, 1240 Miles; to Rhodes, 583 Miles; to Gnidus, 

 84J Miles; to Cos, 25 Miles; to Samus, 100 Miles; to 

 Chius, 84 Miles ; to Mitylen, 65 Miles ; to Tenedos, 28 

 Miles ; to the Promontory Sigaeum, 12J Miles ; to the Mouth 

 of Pontus, 312J Miles; to Carambis, the Promontory, 350 

 Miles; to the Mouth of Maeotis, 312J Miles; to the Haven 

 of Tanais, 265 Miles : which Voyage may be made shorter 

 (with the Vantage of sailing directly) by 89 Miles. From 

 the Haven of Tanais, the most diligent Authors have set 

 down no Measure. Artemidorus was of opinion, that all be- 

 yond was not discovered, allowing that about Tanais the 

 Sarmatian Nations inhabit ; who lie to the North. Isidorus 

 hath added hereto 1200 Miles, as far as to Thule : which is 

 grounded upon bare Conjecture. I understand that the Bor- 

 ders of the Sarmatians are known to have no less an Extent 

 than this last-mentioned cometh to. And otherwise, how 

 much must it be that would contain such innumerable Na- 

 tions, shifting their Seats every now and then. Whereby I 

 judge that the Over-measure of the Clime inhabitable is 

 much greater. For I know certainly, that from Germany 

 very great Islands have been discovered not long since. And 

 thus much of the Length and Breadth of the Earth, which 

 I thought worth the writing. Now the universal Circuit 

 thereof, Eratosthenes, who was learned in all Kind of Lite- 

 rature, and in this Knowledge better qualified than others ; 

 and whom I see of all Men approved, hath set down to be 

 252,000 Stadia. This Measure, by the Romans' reckoning, 

 amounteth to 31,500 Miles. A wondrous bold Attempt ! but 



