192 History of Nature. [Boox III. 



now Norici. To these are Neighbours the Rheti and Vin- 

 delici, all divided into many Cities. The Rheti are judged 

 to be descended from the Thusci, driven out by the Galli, 

 with their Leader Rhcetus 1 . But turning our Breast to Italy, 

 we meet with the Euganean Nations of the Alps, who en- 

 joyed the Right of the Latins, and whose Towns Cato reck- 

 oneth to the number of four and thirty. Of them, the 

 Triumpilini, both People and Lands, were sold. After them 

 the Camuni, and many such, were annexed to the next Muni- 

 cipii. The Lepontii and the Salassi, Cato thinketh to be of 

 the Tauric Nation. But almost all others suppose that the 

 Lepontici were a Residue left behind of the Companions of 

 Hercules , through the interpretation of the Greek Name, as 

 having their Members burned with the Alpine snows as they 

 passed through : that the Graii likewise were of the same 

 Company, planted in the Passage, and inhabiting the Alps 

 Graiae : also that the Euganei were noblest in Birth, from 

 which they took their Name. The Head of them is Stonos. 

 Of those Rhoeti the Vennonetes and Sarunetes inhabit the 

 Heads of the River Rhenus : and of the Leponti, those who 

 are called Viberi dwell by the Fountain of Rhodanus, in 

 the same quarter of the Alps. There be also Inhabitants 

 within the Alps endowed with the Liberty of Latium : as 

 the Octodurenses, and their Borderers the Centrones, the 

 Cottian Cities. The Caturiges, and the Vagienni, from 

 them descended ; Ligures, and such as are called the Moun- 

 taineers : and many kinds of the Capillati, on the Borders 

 of the Ligusticus Sea. In seemeth not amiss in this Place 

 to set down an Inscription out of a Trophy erected in 

 the Alps, which runneth in this Form : To the Emperor 

 Caesar, Son o/Divus Augustus, Pontifex Maximus, Imperator 

 fourteen Times, and invested with the Authority of the 

 Tribune seventeen Times : the Senate and People of Rome : 

 For that under his Conduct and Auspices, all the Alpine 



1 Justin, xx. 5, p. 181, says, " The Tusci, with their leader Koetus, 

 having lost their ancient territorial possessions, took possession of the 

 Alps, and laid the foundation of the nation of the Roeti, so called after the 

 name of their leader." Wern. Club. 



