STNONTMOUS TERMS. izx 



^ 



times ufe ratis as a general term, but the profe-writers never 

 do. The term exprefTes a raft, formed by the junction of a few 

 beams, which can be ufed with fafety only in fmooth water. 

 It had at firft been but a floating platform, and when improved 

 a little, got the appellation of cava. 



Ipfa vides ccelum pice nigrius et freta vends 

 Turbida, perque cavas vix adeunda rates *. 



Both Festus and Isidorus fupport the account now given 

 of ratis. " Rates vocantur tigna inter fe colligata, quae per 

 ". aquas agantur." — " Rates primum et antiquifhmum genus 

 " navigii e rudibus tignis afferibufque confertum." 



In the two following inflances, Cicero and Livy feem to 

 juftify the diitinclion made between navis and ratis. " Cum aut 

 " fiavibus aut ratibus conarentur accedere f." — " Navibus ab 

 M Han nib ale incenfis, rates ad trajiciendum in magna inopia 

 " materise aegre comparabat |." When any reference is made 

 to ratis as the fubjedl of a fimile, it is always regarded as de- 

 noting a rude vefTel, capable of giving but very imperfect fe- 

 curity. " Tanquam ratis in mari immenfo, noftra vehitur 

 " oratio §." 



Cymba differs from ratis, in referring to a vefTel fabricated 

 with more art, and that is always of a fmall fize. It denotes a 

 boat, fuch as is ufed upon a ferry or lake, but fo formed as to 

 give all the fecurity to be expected from its dimenfions. 



Non ideo debet pelago fe credere, fi qua 

 Audet in exiguo ludere cymba lacu **. 



q 2 Cymba 



* Ov. Ep. 17. 7. § Cic. Tufc. Ch 164. a. 



t Cic. in Ver. 236. b. ** Ovid. Trill. 2 329. 



X Liv. cap. 36. 



