MOUNT HELICON. 139 
HomerU and this character is j^iven of it, in the chap. 
IV. 
inscription found upon the Tomb of Hesiod, by ■ 
the people of Orchomenus". It should be also 
stated, that the only arable land ni all Helicon 
is this of Zagaia, which is retnarkable for its 
fertility, and has been cultivated from imme- 
morial time. Although a valley, its elevation is 
very considerable; and being surrounded by 
lofty rugged rocks, it is exposed in summer to 
the most vehement heat, as it is to extreme 
cold in winter ; when it is continually covered 
with snow. In this respect it answers to the 
account given of it by Hesiod himself^ It is 
also to be observed, that Pausanias, speaking 
of AscRA, seems to consider it as connected, by 
its situation, with the Hieron and Grove of the 
Muses. The two places occurring successively 
in the same passage over the mountain, 
are therefore associated in his description of 
(4) See also tlie passage cited from Xenodotus by Stralo, (p. 600. 
e<l. Oxon.) who was at a loss to reconcile the account given of Ascra, 
by antient Poets, with what Hesiod had said of his native country. 
<5) ASKPHMENllATPISnOATAIlioSAAAAOANONTOS 
02TEAnAHSinnHNrHMlNrnNKATEXEI 
HSIOAOTTOrnxYEISTONENEAAAIKTAOSOPEITAI 
ANAPflNKPINOMENnNENBASANniSO^IHS. 
HesiodCE^ya, v. 639. p. 172. Oxon. J 757. 
