128 
plij^y's nattjeal histoet. 
[Book II, 
enclosed like a well, whicli sometimes rises and falls with tlie 
ocean, and, at other times, in both respects contrary to it. 
In the same place there is another well, which always agrees 
v/ith the ocean. On the shores of the Ba?tis\ there is a town 
where the wells become lower when the tide rises, and fill 
again w^hen it ebbs ; while at other times they remain sta- 
tionary. The same thing occurs in one well in the town of 
Hispalis^, while there is nothing peculiar in the other wells. 
The Euxine always flows into the Propontis, the water 
never flowing back into the Euxine^. 
CHAP. 101. (98.) — WOKDEES OP THE SEA. 
All seas are purified at the full moon** ; some also at stated 
periods. At Messina and Mylae a refuse matter, like dung^, 
is cast up on the shore, whence originated the story of the 
oxen of the Sun having had their stable at that place. To 
what has been said above (not to omit anything with which 
I am acquainted) Aristotle adds, that no animal dies except 
when the tide is ebbing. The observation has been often 
made on the ocean of G-aul ; but it has only been found true 
with respect to man^. 
CHAP. 102. (99.) — THE POWEE OP THE MOCK OYEE THE 
LAISTB AND THE SEA. 
Hence we may certainly conjecture, that the moon is not 
1 'Now called the Gruadalquivir. 2 The modern Seville. 
3 This circumstance is noticed by most of the ancients, as by Aristotle, 
Meteor, ii. 1 ; by Seneca, Nat. Qusest. iv. 2 ; and by Strabo. It has, 
however, no relation to the tide, but depends upon the quantity of water 
transmitted into the Euxine by the numerous large rivers that empty 
themselves into it. 
It has been suggested, with some plausibility, that the greater height 
of the tides at this period will cause a greater quantity of matter to be 
cast on shore. This circumstance is referred to by Seneca, Nat. Qusest. 
iii. 26 ; and by Strabo. 
5 Alexandre observes on this supposed fact, " Algarum molles qusedam 
species intelhgendse simt, quae convolutse et marcidse in httus ejiciuntur." 
Lemaire, i. 432. 
^ It may cause some surprise to find that such an opinion has been 
entertained even in modern times ; but more correct observation has 
shown it to be without foundation. Lemaire. 
