SCYLLA AND CIIARYBDIS. 
G21 
i^aro. Its revolving motion was circumscribed to a circle of almost 
one hundred feet in diameter; within which limits there was no in- 
curvation of any kind, nor vertiginous motion, but an incessant undu- 
lation of agitated waves, which rose, fell, beat, and dashed on each 
other. Yet those irregular motions were so far placid, that nothing 
w'as to be feared in passing over the spot ; which he did, though their 
little bark rocked very much from the continual agitation, so that they 
were obliged constantly to make use of their oars, to prevent its being 
driven out of the Calofaro. Our author threw substances of different 
kinds into the stream. Such &s were specifically heavier than the 
w'ater, sunk, and appeared no more ; those which were lighter remained 
on the surface, but were soon driven out of the revolving circle by the 
agitation of the water. Though from these observations, he was 
convinced that there was no gulf under the Calofaro, as otherwise 
there would have been a whirlpool, which v»^ould have carried down 
into it the floating substances ; he determhied to sound the bottom 
with the plummet, and found its greatest depth did not exceed five 
hundred feet. He was likewise informed, to his no small surprise, 
that beyond the Calofaro, towards the middle of the strait, the 
depth was double. 
“ When the current and wind are contrary to each other, and both 
in their greatest violence, especially when the sirocco, or south wind, 
blows, the swelling and dashing of the waves within the Calofaro are 
much stronger, more impetuous, and more extensive. It then contains 
three or four small whirlpools, or even more, according to the great- 
ness of its extent and violence. If at this time small vessels are driven 
into the Calofaro by the current or the wind, they are seen to whirl 
round, rock, and plunge, but are never drawn down into the vortex. 
They only sink when filled witli water, by the waves beating over 
them. When vessels of a larger size are forced into it, whatever 
wind they have, they cannot extricate themselves ; their sails are 
useless; and after having been for some time tossed about by the 
w aves, if they are not assisted by the pilots of the country, who know 
how to bring them out of the course of the current, they are liiriously 
driven upon the neighbouring shore of the Lanterna, where they are 
wrecked, and the greater part of their crew perish in the weaves. 
“ From these facts, the classical reader will perceive, that the ancient 
description of Charybdis is by no means so accurate as that of Scylla, 
The saying, however, became proverbial among the ancients, viz. that 
“ he who endeavours to avoid Charybdis, dashes upon Scylla,” is in 
a great measure true. If a ship be extricated from the fury of Cha- 
rybdis, and carried by a strong southerly wind along the strait 
toward the northern entrance, it will indeed pass out safely ; but 
should it meet with a wind in a nearly opposite direction, it would 
become the sport of both these winds, and, unable to advance or 
recede, be driven in a middle course between their tw'o directions, 
that is to say, full upon the rock of Scylla, if it be not immediately 
assisted by the pilots. It is likewise observed, that in these hurri- 
canes a land wind frequently rises, which descends from a narrow 
pass in Calabria, and increases the force with which the ship is 
impelled towards the rock.” 
