BOOK VII.] History of Nature. 185 



that instead of Noses have only two small Orifices, and after 

 the manner of Snakes have wiry Legs, and are named 

 Syrictae. In the utmost Borders of India, eastward, about 

 the Source of the Ganges, there is a Nation called the 

 Asthomes, having no Mouths : hairy over the whole Body, 

 but clothed with the Down of the Branches of Trees : they 

 live only by the Vapour and Smell which they draw in at 

 their Nostrils : no Meat or Drink do they take, but only 

 various pleasant Odours from Roots, Flowers, and Wild 

 Fruits ; which they carry with them when they take a Long 

 Journey, because they would not miss their Smelling; but if 

 the Scent be a little too strong they are soon deprived of 

 Life. Higher in the Country, in the Edge of the Mountains, 

 the Pygmaei Spithamei are reported to be ; which are three 

 Spans in Length, that is, not exceeding three times nine 

 Inches. The Climate is healthy, and ever like the Spring, 

 by reason that the Mountains are on the North side of them. 

 And these People Homer 1 also hath reported to be much 

 annoyed by Cranes. The report goeth, that in the Time of 

 Spring they set out all in a great Troop, mounted upon the 

 Backs of Rams and Goats, armed with Darts, to go down to 

 the Sea-side, and devour the Eggs and Young of their 

 Winged prey. For three Months this Expedition continueth, 

 for otherwise they would not be able to withstand their future 

 Flocks. Their Cottages are made of Clay, Feathers, and 

 Egg-shells. Aristotle' 2 ' writeth, that the Pygmsei live in 

 Caves. For all the other matters he reported the same as 

 all the rest. Isigonus saith, that the kind of Indians named 

 Cyrni live a hundred and forty Years. The like he thinketh 

 of the Ethiopian Macrobii and the Serae, and those who 



1 Iliad, lib. iii. 6 : 



" So when inclement winters vex the plain 

 With piercing frosts, or thick descending rain, 

 To warmer seas the cranes embodied fly, 

 With noise, and order, through the mid- way sky : 

 To pygmy nations wounds and death they bring, 

 And all the war descends upon the wing." POPE. 



5 Hist. Anim. lib. viii. 15. 



