230 
as one might expect from a traveller of the period. The 
Jesuits were, at the time mentioned, in Abyssinia, and Pais, 
whose name is written also Paez and Payz by other writers, 
is said to have gone there in 1603. 
Kircher desires to inform posterity of this great discovery, 
which to his mind puts aside the preceding maps. We see 
in these three maps the Blue Nile actually gained, and the 
mind wandering after the other sources Avith much uncer- 
tainty, but apparently not Avithout some such foundations 
for truth as could be obtained from the Avandering reports of 
men ignorant of latitudes and equators, of any mode of 
measuring distance, and of any necessity to be very particular 
in describing that Avliicli so little concerned them. In order 
to make the fountains of the Blue Nile serve for the Avliole 
Nile, the lake Bed, on a fourth map, is put very far to the 
south of Congo, from Avliich place it floAvs into the Zambio. 
This seems to be one of Kircher’s attempts at ingenuity, 
which are certainly very often extremely bold. On this map 
is draAvn a lake near the situation of the Nyassi, Avith an 
outlet to the east. 
On another map, Avhich hoAvever is rougher, and intended 
to sIioav the general form of the Avorld, the Nile is brought 
from about 15 degrees south of the equator to a large lake- 
like Avidening beginning about 10 degrees north. A branch 
takes someAvliat the direction of the Blue Nile. 
In all these the existence of lakes may be considered by 
some as the result of the guidance of tradition or report. 
The exultation of Pais when he discovers the fountains is 
not Avithout interest. Although he gives but feAv of the 
proper class of details, he does his best, and such as a man 
with his class of knoAvledge might be expected to give. lie 
says — “ I saAV with the greatest pleasure that which Avas 
denied to Cyrus king of Persia, and Cambyscs, Alexander the 
Great, and the famous Julius Ceesar himself.” 
