X. On the Ancient Geography of Central and Eastern Asia, 

 with Illustrations derived from Recent Discoveries in the 

 North of India. By Hugh Murray, Esq. F. R. S. Edin. 



(Bead April 29. 18 16. J 



^TT^HE descriptions which historians and geographers have 

 JL transmitted to us of the ancient world, are not generally 

 deficient either in copiousness or accuracy. The theatre of 

 those great events, which still interest mankind, may be com- 

 monly ascertained with sufficient precision. The distinct 

 knowledge of the ancients, however, was limited to a certain 

 sphere ; after passing which, clouds always begin to envelope 

 it. The almost total change of names, the uncertainty as to 

 their itinerary measures, and the defects of their mathematical 

 geography, leave no perfectly fixed point on which we can rest. 

 Hence, even where copious and interesting details are given, it 

 is often difficult to determine to what region, or to what na- 

 tion, these descriptions refer. The question may appear some- 

 times to be one of curiosity only ; yet the curiosity seems na- 

 tural and liberal, and it is often connected with interesting 

 questions relative to the history of the human species. It il- 

 lustrates the extent to which commercial enterprise and activi- 

 ty had reached in ancient times ; and often, by enabling us to 

 compare the modern with the ancient aspect of the same re- 



Y 2 gion, 



