BOOK V.] History of Nature. 61 



through the midst of the ^Ethiopians : there surnamed 

 Astapus, which in the Language of those Nations signifieth 

 a Water flowing out of Darkness. Thus dasheth it upon 

 such an innumerable Multitude of Islands, and some of them 

 so very great, that although it bear a swift Stream, yet is it 

 not able to pass beyond them in less space than five Days. 

 About the fairest of them, Meroe, the Channel going on the 

 Left is called Astabores, which is, the Branch of a Water 

 coming forth from Darkness : but that on. the Right is 

 Astusapes, which adds the signification of Lying hid. And 

 it never taketh the Name of Nilus, until its Waters meet 

 again and accord together. And even so was it formerly 

 named Siris for many Miles: and by Homer altogether 

 jEgyptus : by others, Triton : here and there hitting upon 

 Islands, and stirred with so many Provocations : and at the 

 last enclosed within Mountains : and in no place is it more a 

 Torrent, while the Water that it beareth hasteneth to a 

 Place of the .ZEthiopii called Catadupi, where in the last 

 Cataract among the opposing Rocks it is supposed not to 

 run, but to rush down with a mighty Noise. But afterwards 

 it becometh gentle, as the Stream is broken and the violence 

 subdued and partly wearied with his long way : and so, 

 though with many Mouths, it dischargeth itself into the 

 Egyptian Sea. Nevertheless, on certain Days it swelleth 

 to a great height : and when it hath travelled through all 

 Egypt, it overfloweth the Land, to its great Fertility. Dif- 

 ferent causes of this Increase have been given : but those 

 which carry the most probability are either the rebounding 

 of the Water driven back by the Etesian Winds, at that time 

 blowing against it, and driving the Sea upon the Mouths of 

 the River : or the Summer Rain in ^Ethiopia, by reason 

 that the same Etesian Winds bring Clouds thither from 

 other parts of the World. Timceus the Mathematician 

 alleged an hidden reason for it, which is, that the Foun- 

 tain of the Nilus is named Phiala, and the River itself is 

 hidden within Trenches under the Ground, breathing forth 

 in a Vapour out of reeking Rocks, where it lieth concealed. 

 But so soon as the Sun during those Days cometh near, it is 



