DR. G. BIRDWOOD ON THE GENUS BOSWELLIA. 119 
“They say the breadth of this island is about two hundred furlongs, inhabited by 
them they call Panchæans, who transport the myrrh and frankincense into foreign parts, 
and sell it to the Arabian merchants, from whom others buy these and such like mer- 
chandise, and convey them to Pheenicia, Cœlesyria, and Egypt; and from those places 
they are carried by the merchants over all parts of the world. 
“ Besides these, there is another large island, about thirty furlongs distance from this 
last mentioned, lying to the east, many furlongs in length. For they say, from a pro- 
montory thereof running out towards the east, may be seen India, like a cloud in the 
air, the distance is so great. 
“There are many things observable in Panchæa that deserve to be taken notice of. 
The natural inhabitants are those they call Panchei; the strangers that dwell among 
them are people of the western parts, together with Indians, Cretans, and Scythians. 
* In this island there is a famous city, called Panara, not inferior to any for wealth 
and grandeur. The citizens are called the suppliants of Jupiter Triphylius, and are the 
only people of Panchæa that are governed by a democracy without a monarch. They 
choose every year the presidents or governors, that have all matters under their cogni- 
zance; but what concerns life and death, and the most weighty matters, they refer to 
the college of their priests. The temple of Jupiter Triphylius is about sixty furlongs 
distant from the city, in a champaign plain. 1t is in great veneration, because of its 
antiquity and the stateliness of the structure, and the fertility of the soil. 
*' The fields round about the temple are planted with all sorts of trees, not only for 
fruit, but for pleasure and delight; for they abound with tall cypresses, plane trees, 
laurels, and myrtles, the place abounding with fountains of running water; for near the 
temple there is such a mighty spring of sweet water rushes out of the earth, as that it 
becomes a navigable river; thence it divides itself into several currents and streams, and 
waters all the fields thereabouts, and produces thick groves of tall and shady trees ; 
amongst which, in summer, abundance of people spend their time, and a multitude of 
all sorts of birds build their nests, which create great delight both by affecting the eye 
with the variety of their colours, and taking the ear with the sweetness of their notes. 
Here are many gardens, sweet and pleasant meadows, decked with all sorts of herbs and 
flowers, and so glorious in the prospect, that it seems to be a paradise worthy ofthe gods 
themselves. : 
* There are here likewise large and fruitful palms, and abundance of walnut-trees, 
which plentifully furnish the inhabitants with pleasant nuts. Besides all these, there 
¿Area multitude of vines of all sorts, spiring up on high, and so curiously interwoven one 
| amongst another, that they are exceeding pleasant to the view, and greatly advance the 
delights of the place. 
“The temple was built of white marble, most artificially jointed and cemented, two 
hundred yards in length, and as many in breadth, supported by great and thick pillars, 
curiously adorned with carved work. In this temple are placed huge statues of the gods, 
of admirable workmanship, and amazing largeness. Round the temple are built apart- 
ments for the priests that attend the service of the gods, by whom every thing in that 
sacred place is performed. All along from the temple is an even course of ground, four 
VOL. XXVII. ? 
