382 GEOGRAPHICAL SYSTEMS. 
Thus, in the system of Eratosthenes, a full third 
was cut off, both from the length and breadth of 
Asia, and the northern and eastern oceans sup- 
posed to be proportionally at a smaller distance. 
The first geographical system which can de- 
serve the name is that of Herodotus. In the nar- 
rative of this father of history, is found a pretty 
full description of all those regions of the globe 
which were then known ; and the accuracy of 
his reports, after having once appeared somewhat 
problematical, has risen in estimation with the 
more extended discoveries of modern times. To 
liim, as to other ancients who sought to explore 
the interior of Africa, the Nile formed always the 
leading object and guide. The singularity of its 
phenomena, the mysterious grandeur of the re- 
gions which it traversed, and the unknown foun- 
tains whence its long course was derived, caused 
it always to be viewed with deeper interest than 
any other object presented by ancient geography. 
Herodotus shews himself to have known its 
course higher, probably, than it has been traced 
by any modern European. From ElephantinCj 
at the southern extremity of Egypt, to Meroe, 
the capital of Ethiopia, was a journey of fifty- 
two days, and from thence an equal distance to 
the country of Automoles or Exiles ; making in 
all a hundred and four days* journey. The pre- 
cise point is difficult to fix ^ but the belief that 
