128 History of Nature. [BooK VI. 



Palgeogoni: that it affordeth more Gold and bigger Pearls 

 than the Indian. Eratosthenes also took the Measure 

 of it, in length 7000 Stadia, and in breadth 5000 : that 

 there are no Cities, but Villages to the number of 700. It 

 beginneth at the Sea Eoos, from which it extendeth 

 between the East and West of India : and in times 

 past was believed to lie out into the Sea from the Prasian 

 Nation twenty Days' Sailing. But afterwards, because the 

 Vessels and Rigging used upon this Sea in the Passage 

 thither were made of Paper Reeds, like those of the River 

 Nile, the Voyage was estimated, by comparison with our 

 Ships, at about seven Days. All the Sea tying between 

 is full of Shallows, no more than five Fathoms Deep ; but in 

 certain Channels it is so deep that no Anchors will reach the 

 Bottom: and so narrow are these Channels, that a Ship 

 cannot turn within them ; and therefore, to avoid the neces- 

 sity of turning, the Ships have Prows at both ends. In 

 Sailing, there is no Observation of the Stars. The North 

 Pole is never seen : but they carry with them Birds, which 

 they send off at intervals and follow their Course, as they 

 fly to Land : neither used they go to Sea for more than 

 three Months in the Year ; and for one hundred Days from 

 the Solstice they take most heed ; for at that time it is Win- 

 ter with them. And thus much we know by relation of 

 ancient Writers. But we obtain better Intelligence, and 

 more accurate Information, by Ambassadors who came out 

 of that Island, in the reign of Claudius, which happened 

 after this manner. A Freed-man of Annius Plocamus, who 

 had Farmed from the Exchequer the Customs of the Red 

 Sea, as he sailed about the Coasts of Arabia, was driven with 

 the North Winds beyond the Realm of Carmania, and in the 

 Space of 15 Days he reached an Harbour of that Country, 

 called Hippuros. He found the King of that Country so 

 courteous, as to afford him Entertainment for six Months. 

 And as he used to discourse with him about the Romans and 

 Caesar, he recounted to him at large of all things. But 

 among many other Reports that he heard, he wondered most 

 at their Justice, because their Denarii of the Money which 



