stom 
oking. 
TO CONSTANTINOPLE. 99 
it is now, for its intoxicating qualities * : the 
observation made by Plutarch seems to be an 
allusion to the custom of smoking: and so 
antient is this allusion, that if it be true, a doubt [J.^^^^^^, 
might be entertained respecting the authenticity 
of the treatise (^g^< -Trornf^av) attributed to him^ 
It is moreover related of the Hebrus by Plini/, ^J' ^'^^°^'^ 
that its sand was auriferous ^ ; and Belon has Hebms. 
confirmed this observation, by stating that the 
(5) It is true that Plutarch says the herb was like Origa7ium : but 
there has been great confusion among botanists, in distinguishing the 
species of Origanum ; and we are not to conclude that Plutarch's 
OHganum was our Marjoram. 
Vinarai Sj ev itvru reo 'r^oii^rtfi.itia -rorafiu (ioravri ira^ofiiiiog O^iyavu, 
r^t>ip>ii, Kci) rhv ivec^l^ofiivny iva^uu-lcciriv ^i^ofitvoi rTii aiaveioiOLii, Kaoovtrai, 
xa.) 11; (ia^vv v'^vov xara^ioo'jrai. Plutarch, de Fluv. pp. 11, 12. 
(6) Many authors expressed their doubts as to the real author of 
the treatise ^rsgJ •mrocf/.uv^ which bears the name of Plutarch ; and 
among others, Sigismundus Geleiiius, who published an edition of it, 
together with the Periplus of Jrrian, and the Epitome of Strabo. In 
his dedication {ad Anselmum Ephorin. Medicum) he says, " Plutarchum 
vera hunc Chceronensem ilium non esse stylus satis arguit, et alioqiii 
titulus nudum Plutarchi nomen hahet. Attamcn Mine quoque ex 
vetustissimis quibusque sua hausisse crebra auctorum citatio declarat.'" 
The objection was however refuted, and the authenticity of the work 
forcibly maintained by the arguments of Philip. Jacob. Maussacus, 
who subsequently edited the same treatise ; adding a dissertation, 
entitled, " Judicium de Plutarcho et scriptis ejus, in quo Libellus de 
Fluminibus magna Plutarcho Charonensi pi-obabditer vindicatur." 
(7) Pliny mentions five auriferous rivers ; the Tagus of Spain, the 
Po of Italy, the He6rM5 of Thrace, the Pactolus of Asia, and the 
Ganges of I.ndia. Hist. Nat. lib. xxxiii. cap. 4. tom. III. p. 345. 
L. Bat. 1635. 
H 2 
