120 DR. G. BIRDWOOD ON THE GENUS BOSWELLIA. 
furlongs in length, and a hundred yards in breadth; on either side of which are erected 
vast brazen statues, with four square pedestals; at the end of the course breaks forth the 
river, from the fountains before mentioned, from whence flows most clear and sweet 
water, the drinking of which conduces much to the health of the body. This river is 
called the water of the sun. 
“The whole fountain is lined on both sides, and flagged at the bottom with stone, at a 
vast expense, and runs out on both sides for the space of four furlongs. It is not lawful 
for any body but the priests to approach to the brink of the fountain. All the land 
about, for two hundred furlongs round, is consecrated to the gods, and the revenues 
bestowed in maintaining the publie sacrifices and service of the gods; beyond these 
consecrated lands is a high mountain, dedicated likewise to the gods, which they call the 
throne of Cœlus and Triphylius Olympus; for they report that Uranus, when he 
governed the whole world, pleasantly diverted himself in this place, and from the top of 
the mount observed the motions of the heavens and stars, and that he was called Triphy- 
lius Olympus, because the inhabitants were composed of three several nations, Pan- 
chæans, Oceanites, and Doians, who were afterwards expelled by Ammon ; for it is said 
that he not only rooted out this nation, but utterly destroyed all their cities, and laid 
Doia and Asterusia even with the ground. The priests every year solemnize a sacred 
festival in this mountain, with great devotion. 
“ Behind this mount, in other parts of Panchæa, they say there are abundance of wild 
beasts of all kinds, as elephants, lions, leopards, deer, and many other wonderful 
creatures, both for strength and proportion. In this island there are three chief cities, 
Hyracia, Dalis, and Oceanis. The whole country is very fertile, and especially in the 
produetion of all sorts of wine in great plenty. 
* The men are warlike, and use chariots in battle, after the ancient manner. The 
whole nation is divided into three parts: the first class is of the priests, with whom are 
joined the artificers ; the other tribe consists of the husbandmen ; and the third are the 
militia and the shepherds. 
“The priests govern all, and are the sole arbitrators in every matter; for they give 
judgment in all controversies, and have the power and authority in all public trans- 
actions of state. The husbandmen till the land ; but the fruit is brought into thé common 
treasury ; and who is judged the most skilful in husbandry, receives the largest share of 
the fruits for a reward in the first place; and so the second, and the rest in order to the 
tenth, as every one merits, less or more, receives his reward by the judgment of the 
priests. In the same manner the shepherds and herdsmen carefully bring into the 
publie stock the victims and other things, both by number and weight, as the nature of 
things are; for it is not lawful for any to appropriate any thing to themselves particu- 
larly, except a house and garden. For all the young breed of cattle and other things. 
and all the revenues, are received by the priests, and they justly distribute to every one 
as their necessity does require; only the priests have a double proportion. 
* They wear soft and fine garments; for the sheep's wool is much finer here than 
anywhere else. Both men and women likewise deck themselves with golden orna- 
ments; for they wear necklaces of gold, and bracelets about their arms, and, like the 
