Appendix, no n. 433 
ami the River Horse of the Njle, whose hinder-parts 
terminate in a tail with prickly scales ; and the Elephant 
shaking his proboscis; and the Sphinxes, with the faces 
of women and the bodies of wild beasts, furnished with wings 
as well as feet, and able to contend in air with the mightiest 
birds; and the UN bitted Steed, with his ears erect, neigh- 
ing, and proudly pawing the ground. There was a group, 
also, consisting of ScYLL A with the fierce animals into which 
half her body had been changed ; and near her was the 
ship of Ulysses, into which these animals were leaping, 
and devouring some of the crew. In the Hippodrome, 
also, was placed the brazen Eagle, the work of Apol- 
lonius Tyaneus, and a wonderful monument of his magical 
power. That philosopher, when visiting Byzantium, had 
been asked for a charm against the venomous bites of the 
serpents which then infested the place. For this purpose 
he employed all his magical skill, with the devil for his 
coadjutor, and elevated ^ upon a column a brazen Eagle. 
Great was the pleasure it afforded ; and the sight attracted 
and detained the beholders, in the same manner as mari- 
ners were formerly rivetted by the songs of the Sirens. 
The wings of the bird were expanded for flight ; but a 
serpent in his talons, twining around him, impeded his 
soaring. The head of the reptile seemed approaching the 
wings, to inflict a deadly bite; but the crooked points of 
the talons kept him harmless; and instead of struggling 
with the bird, he was compelled to droop his head, and his 
breath and his venom expired together. The eagle was 
(2) Jpolloniiis, without doubt, was endeavouring to imitate Moses in 
the Wilderness. Vide Xumbers, chap. xxi. 
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