48 
MEMOIR OF PLINY. 
to India, and from Mauritania and Etliiopia in Af- 
rica, to Scyihia and tlie Cinibric Cliersonese. 
The seventh book is devoted to an account of tlie 
various races and “ wondcrfull shapes of men in 
diuerse countries,” including monsters, prodigies, 
ghosts, great characters, notable inventions, longe- 
vity, strength, swiftness, wit, valour, and other mat- 
ters relating to the human species. “ In summe (says 
the authority already quoted) there be in this booke, 
strange accidents and matters memorable, 747.” 
Of these “ matters memorable” Pliny has collected 
a tolerable stock from Grecian and other travellers, 
most of them bordering on the marvellous, and only 
fitted to excite a smile at the credulity of those wlio 
could affirm or relate them. “ Certes reported it is, 
(says he), that far within the country of Ethyopia, 
eastward, there are a kinde of people without any 
nose at all on their face, hauing their visage all plain 
and flat. Others again, without any upper lip, and 
some tonguelesse. Moreover, there is a kinde of 
them that want a mouth, framed apart from their 
nosthrills, and at one and the same liole, and no more, 
taketh in breath, receiueth drinke by drawing it in 
with an oaten straw ; yea, and after the same man- 
ner feed themselves with the grains of oats.” 
He then proceeds to give examples of cannibals, 
hermaphrodites, androgyni, and other wonderful 
shapes in different regions of the world. Among the 
Scythians, he places the Arimaspians, “ who are 
knowne by this niarke, for having one eie only in 
