54 Remarks on the Sequel to the [Jan. 



Erooclioomboo, and the Brahmaputra, and that the error in their deli- 

 neation in the maps of Ptolemy's Geography by Agathodsemon, con- 

 sists in their being laid down, as running to, instead of from, the north 

 or north-east. The Oeehardcs is described by Ptolemy, as having its 

 origin inScythia extra Imaum, as flowing through that country, as having 

 a great bend or curve in its course, and as afterwards entering Serica. 

 This exactly corresponds with the Sanpoo which runs through Thibet, and 

 which has an extensive bend or turn in its course before it enters Assam. 

 The Bautes is the Brahmaputra. It is delineated in the map of Serica, 

 as being composed of two large affluents rising from the mountains 

 called Ottorocorras or Sericus, and Casius. They are the Dibong, which 

 is composed of two branches ; and the Brahmaputra which proceeds 

 from the mountains on the east and north-east of x\ssam. The Bautes 

 is described by Cellarius, as entering Serica " recto casu," which perhaps 

 refers to the straight course of the Brahmaputra from the Brahmakund. 

 This celebrated place of pilgrimage is designated the sacred pool — the 

 Deo-panee — or divine well of Brahma. The summit of the rock, which 

 is described by Capt. Bedford as inaccessible, is called by the Hindoos 

 — the Deo Bari or dwelling of the deity, and it is perhaps with reference 

 to this natural temple of the god of the Hindoos, that the ancients 

 designated this rock and mountain — Mount Casius — a name that was 

 probably suggested by the resemblance (real or supposed) between this 

 rocky mountain and Mount Casius of Syria, the site of a temple to 

 Jupiter. Dr. Stevenson remarks : " when the ancient Romans came to 

 any new country they were sure to find there a Jupiter."* "The com- 

 mon figure," says the Abbe Bannier, " by which Jupiter Cassius used to 

 be represented, was that of a rock or steep mountain, as is to be seen 

 on several medals quoted by Vaillant."f 



Ptolemy describes the two rivers Oechardes and Bautes, as flowing 

 through the greatest part of Serica. (Sericse autem regionis maximam 

 partem duo percurrunt fluvii.) This may be considered as referring to 

 the two great parallel branches of the Brahmaputra, which enclose 

 Majuli and the islands in the upper part of its course. These branches, 

 perhaps, ran a muchlonger course than they do at present, and were dis- 

 tinguished by the names of the two great parent streams, the Oechardes 

 * Journal Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. V. p. 191. 

 |- Vide Mythology of the Antients, Vol. II. p. 220. 



