18 ESSAY ON THE^ ' 



Gum, or in the same climate. This distance from Uttara-Curu, or from 

 the ar6lic circle, to Chandra-dwipa or ^5'we^am, is equal to nine degree^ 

 of latitude ; for 5000 is the twentieth part of j 00,0.00 ycjanas, the lengthy 

 and breadth of the superior hemisphere, answering to 180 degrees. 



These nine degrees will bring the White Island between the parallels of 



■50 and 55, degrees of north latitude,- 



Though I have said, that the distance of 'Swetam, or rather of its 

 centre, from the continent, Is no where mentioned, yet it is supposed to 

 he 4, or 6000 ydj anas ; but I believe it is, because islands are generally 

 placed at that distance from the main land, and straits also are generally 

 described as 4, or 5000 ydjafias broad. Several learned Pandits are of 

 opinion, that in the first passage, which I have produced from the Vara- 

 ka-furdna, in«te?4;;pf the circumference of the White Island\ ^hich is 

 described as a^yeriy large one, and is declared) here to be only 4000 

 yjjafias,. or stades, we should read "to the west of the contment is an 

 " Island. 4000. ydjanas distant;" and I believe they are in the right. 

 The-, whole passage is, certainly obscure, owing to some inaccuracy, and 

 mistake in, the. manuscripts, with respe6l to the particulars; though there 

 be none about the situation of the White bland,, with Regard. to the adja- 

 cent ranges.- • ,..',:■ ;:f;'Y .■■ :'K'y- ■/-...: ■.;.-''.'. :'•/ ■;'/ -• :.'.■-- "- "> ;'''■■ 



In the passage from the VardHa-purdn a, svKich. I mentioned before, 

 ^le name of ^Sweta is not very obvious: but its identity m ascertained 

 from- the i^xaons ■ Cshina tree growing there; and the river Chandra^ 

 narttd:. and the passage seems to imply that the island was also called' 



CsJiira; as.it is constantly denominated; in the Trai-ldeya-derpana, " There 

 "; is tlie Three-peak-land in the ocean ; the Cshzra tree and island j to the- 

 "; west of the continent 4.0.C0 ydjanas in circumference: there is the. river..- 



