98 
plii^t's katueal history. 
[Book II 
point to be investigated hj arguments, but what has been 
ascertained by experience. 
CHAP. 67. (67.) — ^WHETHEB THE OCEAT^ SIJREOrNDS THE 
EARTH. 
The whole of the western ocean is now navigated, from Grades 
and the Pillars of Hercules, round Spain and Gaul. The 
greater part of the northern ocean has also been navigated, 
under the auspices of the Emperor Augustus, his fleet having 
been carried round Grermany to the promontory of the Cimbri^ ; 
from which spot they descried an immense sea, or became ac- 
quainted with it by report, which extends to the country of 
the Scythians, and the districts that are chilled by excessive 
moistin^e^. On this account it is not at all probable, that 
the ocean should be deficient in a region where moisture so 
much abounds. In like manner, towards the east, from the 
Indian sea, all that part which lies in the same latitude^, and 
which bends round towards the Caspian^, has been explored 
by the Macedonian arms, in the reigns of Seleucus and An- 
tiochus, who wished it to be named after themselves, the Se- 
leucian or Antiochian Sea. About the Caspian, too, many parts 
of the shores of the ocean have been explored, so that nearly 
the whole of the north has been sailed over in one direction 
or another. Nor can our argument be much affected by the 
point that has been so much discussed, respecting the Palus 
Mseotis, whether it be a bay of the same ocean^, as is, I under- 
stand, the opinion of some persons, or whether it be the 
overflowing of a narrow channel connected with a different 
ocean^. On the other side of Grades, proceeding from 
the same western point, a great part of the southern ocean, 
* The voyage whicli is here alluded to was probably that performed 
by Drusus ; it is mentioned by Dio, Hb. iv., Suetonius, Claud. § 1, Yel. 
Paterculus, ii. 106, and by Tacitus, Grerm. § 34. 
2 What is here spoken of we may presume to have been that part of 
the Grerman Ocean which lies to the ^.W. of Denmark ; the term Scy- 
thian was apphed by the ancients in so very general a way, as not to 
afford any indication of the exact district so designated. 
3 " Sub eodem sidere " which Hes under the same star." 
4 The ancients conceived the Caspian to be a gulf, connected with 
the northern ocean. Om^ author gives an account of it, vi. 15. 
5 That is, of the Caspian Sea. 
® The remarks which our author makes upon the Palus Mseotis, in tho 
