Bekker (Berlin, 1831) · Dowdall (1909)
Dowdall (1909)
Chapter 1 (830a5–25)
830a
5 Ἐν τῇ Παιονίᾳ φασὶν ἐν τῷ ὄρει τῷ Ἡσαίνῳ καλουμένῳ,
ὃ τὴν Παιονικὴν καὶ τὴν Μαιδικὴν ὁρίζει, εἶναί τι θηρίον
τὸ καλούμενον βόλινθον, ὑπὸ δὲ τῶν Παιόνων μόναιπον.
τοῦτον λέγουσι τὴν μὲν ὅλην φύσιν παραπλήσιον εἶναι βοΐ,
διαφέρειν δὲ τῷ μεγέθει καὶ τῇ εὐρωστίᾳ, προσέτι δὲ καὶ
10 τῇ χαίτῃ· ἔχει γὰρ ἀπὸ τοῦ αὐχένος, ὥσπερ ὁ ἵππος,
κατατείνουσαν βαθεῖαν σφόδρα, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς κορυφῆς
ἕως τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν. τὰ δὲ κέρατα οὐχ ὥσπερ οἱ βόες,
ἀλλὰ κατεστραμμένα, καὶ τὸ ὀξὺ κάτω παρὰ τὰ ὦτα·
χωρεῖν δὲ αὐτὰ ἡμιχόου πλεῖον ἑκάτερον αὐτῶν, καὶ μέλανα
15 σφόδρα εἶναι, διαστίλβειν δὲ ὡσανεὶ λελεπισμένα.
ὅταν δὲ ἐκδαρῇ τὸ δέρμα, κατέχειν τόπον ὀκτακλίνου.
ἡνίκα δὲ πληγῇ, φεύγει, κἂν ἐξαδυνατοῦν μένει. ἔστι δὲ
ἡδύκρεων. ἀμύνεται δὲ λακτίζον καὶ προσαφοδεῦον ὡς
ἐπὶ τέτταρας ὀργυιάς· ῥᾳδίως δὲ χρῆται τούτῳ καὶ πολλάκις
20 τῷ εἴδει, καὶ ἐπικαίει δ' ὥστ' ἀποψήχεσθαι τὰς τρίχας
τῶν κυνῶν. τεταραγμένου μὲν οὖν τοῦτο ποιεῖν φασὶ
τὸν ἄφοδον, ἀταράχου δὲ μὴ ἐπικαίειν. ὅταν δὲ τίκτωσι,
πλείους γενόμενοι καὶ συναχθέντες ἅμα πάντες οἱ μέγιστοι
τίκτουσι καὶ κύκλῳ προσαφοδεύουσι· πολὺ γάρ τι τούτου
25 τοῦ περιττώματος τὸ θηρίον προΐεται.
5MEN say that in Paeonia, on the mountain called Hesaenus, which forms the boundary between the Paeonian and Maedian! districts, there is found a wild beast, which is called Bolinthos,? but by the Paeonians is named Monaepos. They state that this in its general nature is similar to the ox, but surpasses it in size and strength, and moreover is distinguished from it by its mane; for 10like the horse it has a mane hanging down very thick from the neck, and from the crown of the head as far as the eyes. It has horns, not such as oxen have, but bent downwards, the tip being low down near the ears; and these severally contain more than three pints, and are very black, and shine as though they were peeled;* and when the hide is stripped off it occupies a space capable 15of containing eight couches. When the animal is struck with a weapon it flees, and only stops when it is quite exhausted. Its flesh has an agreeable taste. It defends itself by kicking, and voiding excrement over a distance of about twenty-four feet. It easily and frequently employs this kind of defence, and the 2° excretion burns so severely that the hair of the dogs is scraped off. 20They say, however, that the excrement produces this effect only when the animal is disturbed, but when it is undisturbed it does not burn. When they bring forth young, assembling in larger numbers and being all gathered closely together, the full-grown ones bring forth, and void excrement as a defence round their young; for the animal discharges a large quantity of this excretion.
Chapter 2 (830b5–10)
830b
5 Τοὺς ἐν Ἀραβίᾳ φασὶ καμήλους μὴ ἀναβαίνειν ἐπὶ
τὰς μητέρας, ἀλλὰ κἂν βιάσηταί τις, οὐ θέλουσι. καὶ γάρ
ποτε λέγεται, ἐπεὶ οὐκ ἦν ὀχεῖον, τὸν ἐπιμελητὴν καλύψαντα
ἐφεῖναι τὸν πῶλον. ὡς δ' ὀχεύοντος ἐπέβη, τότε μέν,
ὡς ἔοικε, συνετέλεσε, μικρῷ δ' ὕστερον δάκνων τὸν καμηλίτην
10 ἀπέκτεινεν.
5They say that in Arabia camels do not mate with their mothers; even if anyone forces them, they refuse. They relate that a keeper once, having covered the mother, put her to a stallion; the male completed the mating, it seems, but shortly afterwards killed the keeper with bites.
Chapter 3 (830b11–19)
Τοὺς κόκκυγάς φασι τοὺς ἐν Ἑλίκῃ, ὅταν μέλλωσι τίκτειν,
μὴ ποιεῖν νεοττιάν, ἀλλ' ἐν ταῖς τῶν φαττῶν ἢ ταῖς
τῶν τρυγόνων ἐντίκτειν, καὶ μήτ' ἐπῳάζειν μήτ' ἐκκολάπτειν
μήτε τρέφειν αὐτούς· ἀλλ' ὅταν γεννηθῇ ὁ νεοττὸς καὶ ἐκτραφῇ,
15 μεθ' ὧν ἂν οὗτος συνῇ, τούτους ἐκ τῆς νεοττιᾶς ἐκβάλλειν.
γίνεται δ', ὡς ἔοικε, μέγας καὶ καλός, ὥστε ῥᾳδίως
κατακρατεῖν τῶν λοιπῶν. τούτῳ δὲ χαίρειν φασὶ καὶ τὰς
φάττας οὕτως ὥστε καὶ αὐτὰς συνεκβάλλειν ἐκείνῳ τοὺς
ἰδίους νεοττούς.
Men say that the cuckoos in Helice, when about to breed, do not 10build a nest, but lay their eggs in the nests of ring-doves or turtle-doves, and neither sit on their eggs, nor hatch them, nor rear their young; but when the chick is born and reared, it expels its companions from the nest. Moreover, it appears, it grows large and beautiful, so that it easily overcomes the rest. They say that the ring-doves 15also take such a delight in it that they even assist it to drive out their own young.
Chapter 4 (830b20–22)
20 Αἱ ἐν Κρήτῃ αἶγες ὅταν τοξευθῶσι, ζητοῦσιν, ὡς ἔοικε,
τὸ δίκταμον τὸ ἐκεῖ φυόμενον. ὅταν γὰρ φάγωσιν, εὐθὺς
ἐκβάλλουσι τὰ τοξεύματα.
The she-goats in Crete, when they are shot with arrows, seek, it would appear, for the dittany, which grows there; for as soon as they have eaten it, they straightway expel the arrows from their bodies.
Chapter 5 (830b23–831a3)
Φασί τινας ἐν Ἀχαΐᾳ τῶν ἐλάφων, ὅταν ἀποβάλωσι
τὰ κέρατα, εἰς τοιούτους τόπους ἔρχεσθαι ὥστε μὴ ῥᾳδίως
25 εὑρεθῆναι. τοῦτο δὲ ποιεῖν διὰ τὸ μὴ ἔχειν ᾧ ἀμυνοῦνται,
Men say that some of the stags in Achaea, when they have 20shed their horns, proceed to places of such a kind that ° they cannot be easily found; and that they act in this way because they have no means of defence, and also because the parts from which they have shed their horns give them pain; and it is stated that, in the case of many of these animals, ivy is seen growing in the place of the horns.
831a
1 καὶ διὰ τὸ πονεῖν τοὺς τόπους ὅθεν τὰ κέρατα ἀπέβαλον.
πολλαῖς δὲ καὶ κισσὸν ἐπιπεφυκότα ἐν τῷ τῶν κεράτων
τόπῳ ὁρᾶσθαι.
Chapter 6 (831a4–10)
Ἐν Ἀρμενίᾳ φάρμακόν τί φασι φύεσθαι ὃ καλεῖται
5 παρδάλειον. τούτῳ οὖν, ὅταν ὀφθῇ πάρδαλις, χρίσαντες τὸ
ἱερεῖον ἀφιᾶσιν. ἡ δὲ ὅταν ἅψηται αὐτοῦ, ζητεῖ, ὡς ἔοικε,
τὴν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου κόπρον. διὸ καὶ οἱ κυνηγοὶ εἰς ἀγγεῖον αὐτὴν
ἐμβαλόντες ἔκ τινος δένδρου κρεμῶσιν, ἵνα προσαλλομένη
καὶ ὑπέρκοπος γενομένη ὑπ' αὐτοῦ παραλυθῇ καὶ ὑποχείριος
10 γένηται.
1Men say that in Armenia a certain poison grows, which is called leopard’s bane. So, when a leopard is seen, they anoint a victim with this, and let it go. When the leopard touches it, she goes, it would appear, in quest 5of human excrement. Therefore the hunters put it in a vessel, and suspend it from a tree, so that the leopard, by leaping up towards it and becoming exhausted, may be paralysed by it, and fall into their power.
Chapter 7 (831a11–14)
Ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ δὲ τοὺς τροχίλους φασὶν εἰσπετομένους
εἰς τὰ στόματα τῶν κροκοδείλων καθαίρειν αὐτῶν τοὺς ὀδόντας,
τὰ σαρκία τὰ ἐνεχόμενα τοῖς ῥύγχεσιν ἐξέλκοντας·
τοὺς δ' ἥδεσθαι καὶ μηδὲν βλάπτειν αὐτούς.
Men say that in Egypt the sandpipers fly into the mouths of the 10crocodiles, and cleanse their teeth, pulling out the pieces of flesh, which stick in their snouts, while the crocodiles are pleased, and do them no harm.
Chapter 8 (831a15–18)
15 Τοὺς ἐν Βυζαντίῳ φασὶν ἐχίνους αἰσθάνεσθαι ὅτε βόρεια
καὶ νότια πνεῖ πνεύματα, καὶ μεταβάλλειν εὐθὺς τὰς ὀπάς,
καὶ ὅταν μὲν ᾖ νότια, ἐκ τοῦ ἐδάφους τὰς ὀπὰς ποιεῖσθαι,
ὅταν δὲ βόρεια, ἐκ τῶν τοιχῶν.
Men say that the hedgehogs in Byzantium perceive when north or south winds are blowing, and immediately change their holes; 15and, when the winds are southerly, make their holes opening out of the ground, but, when they are northerly, out of the walls.
Chapter 9 (831a19–21)
Αἱ ἐν Κεφαλληνίᾳ αἶγες οὐ πίνουσιν, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὥσπερ καὶ
20 τἆλλα τετράποδα, καθ' ἡμέραν δὲ πρὸς τὸ πέλαγος ἀντία τὰ
πρόσωπα ποιήσασαι χάσκουσιν εἰσδεχόμεναι τὰ πνεύματα.
The she-goats in Cephallenia do not drink, as it appears, like other quadrupeds; but daily turning their faces towards the sea, open their mouths, and 20take in the breezes.
Chapter 10 (831a22–26)
Φασὶν ἐν Συρίᾳ τῶν ἀγρίων ὄνων ἕνα ἀφηγεῖσθαι τῆς
ἀγέλης, ἐπειδὰν δέ τις νεώτερος ὢν τῶν πώλων ἐπί τινα
θήλειαν ἀναβῇ, τὸν ἀφηγούμενον θυμοῦσθαι, καὶ διώκειν ἕως
25 τούτου ἕως ἂν καταλάβῃ τὸν πῶλον, καὶ ὑποκύψας ἐπὶ τὰ
ὀπίσθια σκέλη τῷ στόματι ἀποσπάσῃ τὰ αἰδοῖα.
In Syria they say that among the wild asses one leads the herd, and that if any younger male mounts a female, the leader is angry and pursues him until he catches him, and, crouching on his hind legs, tears out his genitals with his mouth.
Chapter 11 (831a27–31)
Τὰς χελώνας λέγουσιν, ὅταν ἔχεως φάγωσιν, ἐπεσθίειν
τὴν ὀρίγανον, ἐὰν δὲ μὴ θᾶττον εὕρῃ, ἀποθνήσκειν. πολλοὺς δ'
ἀποπειράζοντας τῶν ἀγραυλούντων εἰ τοῦτ' ἀληθές ἐστιν, ὅταν
30 ἵδωσιν αὐτὴν τοῦτο πράττουσαν, ἐκτίλλειν τὴν ὀρίγανον· τοῦτο δὲ
ὅταν ποιήσωσι, μετὰ μικρὸν αὐτὴν ὁρᾶσθαι ἀποθνήσκουσαν.
Men say that 25tortoises, when they have eaten part of a viper, eat marjoram as an antidote, and, if the creature fails to find it at once, it dies; that many of the countryfolk, wishing to prove whether this is true, whenever they see it acting in this manner, pluck up the marjoram, and when 30they have done so, the tortoise is presently seen dying.
Chapter 12 (831b1–4)
831b
1 Τὸ τῆς ἰκτίδος λέγεται αἰδοῖον εἶναι οὐχ ὅμοιον τῇ
φύσει τῶν λοιπῶν ζῴων, ἀλλὰ στερεὸν διὰ παντὸς οἷον ὀστοῦν,
ὅπως ἄν ποτε διακειμένη τύχῃ. φασὶ δὲ στραγγουρίας αὐτὸ
φάρμακον εἶναι ἐν τοῖς ἀρίστοις, καὶ δίδοσθαι ἐπιξυόμενον.
1They say that martens have genital organs unlike those of other animals, for, however they may be affected, these are always hard like bone. They assert that the animals are a singular remedy for those troubled by dribbling urine, and are given scraped.
Chapter 13 (831b5–9)
5 Τὸν δρυοκολάπτην φασὶ τὸ ὄρνεον ἐπὶ τῶν δένδρων
βαδίζειν ὥσπερ τοὺς ἀσκαλαβώτας, καὶ ὕπτιον καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν
γαστέρα. νέμεσθαι δὲ λέγεται καὶ τοὺς ἐκ τῶν δένδρων σκώληκας,
καὶ οὕτω σφόδρα κατὰ βάθους ὀρύττειν τὰ δένδρα ζητοῦντα
τοὺς σκώληκας ὥστε καὶ καταβάλλειν αὐτά.
Men say that the 5bird called the woodpecker climbs upon the trees like lizards, both hanging from and standing on the branches, It is further stated that it feeds upon the grubs out of the trees, and digs so deeply into the trees, in its search for the grubs, that it even brings the trees down.
Chapter 14 (831b10–13)
10 Φασὶ τοὺς πελεκᾶνας τὰς ἐν τοῖς ποταμοῖς γινομένας
κόγχας ὀρύττοντας καταπίνειν, ἔπειτα ὅταν πλῆθος εἰσφρήσωσιν
αὐτῶν, ἐξεμεῖν, εἶθ' οὕτως τὰ μὲν κρέα ἐσθίειν τῶν
κογχῶν, τῶν δ' ὀστράκων μὴ ἅπτεσθαι.
Men say that the pelicans dig up the mussels that are found in 10the rivers, and swallow them; then, when they have devoured a large quantity of these, they vomit them up again, and thereupon eat the meat of the mussels, but do not touch the shells.
Chapter 15 (831b14–17)
Ἐν Κυλλήνῃ φασὶ τῆς Ἀρκαδίας τοὺς κοσσύφους λευκοὺς
15 γίνεσθαι, ἄλλοθι δ' οὐδαμῇ, καὶ φωνὰς ποικίλας
προΐεσθαι, ἐκπορεύεσθαί τε πρὸς τὴν σελήνην. τὴν δ' ἡμέραν
εἴ τις ἐπιχειροίη, σφόδρα δυσθηράτους εἶναι.
Men say that in Cyllene in Arcadia the blackbirds are born white, which happens nowhere else, and that they give utterance to various sounds, and go ‘forth 15by the light of the moon; but that, if any one should attempt to capture them by day, they are caught with great difficulty.
Chapter 16 (831b18–19)
Λέγεται δ' ὑπό τινων μέλι τὸ καλούμενον ἄνθινον
περὶ Μῆλον καὶ Κνίδον γίνεσθαι εὐῶδες μὲν τῇ ὀσμῇ, ὀλιγοχρόνιον
20 δέ, ἐν τούτῳ δὲ καὶ τὴν ἐριθάκην γίνεσθαι.
It is stated by certain persons that what is called flowerhoney is produced in Melos and Knidos, and that, while fragrant in smell, it lasts for only a short time; and that in it! bee-bread is produced.
Chapter 17 (831b20–21)
περὶ
Καππαδοκίαν ἔν τισι τόποις ἄνευ κηρίου φασὶν ἐργάζεσθαι
τὸ μέλι, γίνεσθαι δὲ τὸ πάχος ὅμοιον ἐλαίῳ.
In some parts 20of Cappadocia they say that the honey is made without a honey-comb, and that in consistency it resembles olive-oil.
Chapter 18 (831b22–24)
ἐν Τραπεζοῦντι
τῇ ἐν τῷ Πόντῳ γίνεται τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς πύξου μέλι
βαρύοσμον· καί φασι τοῦτο τοὺς μὲν ὑγιαίνοντας ἐξιστάναι,
25 τοὺς δ' ἐπιλήπτους καὶ τελέως ἀπαλλάττειν.
At Trapezus in Pontus the honey gathered from the box-tree is produced, having an oppressive smell, and they say that this drives out of their senses those who are sound in mind, while it completely cures those who suffer from 25epilepsy.
Chapter 19 (831b25–31)
φασὶ
δὲ καὶ ἐν Λυδίᾳ ἀπὸ τῶν δένδρων τὸ μέλι συλλέγεσθαι
πολύ, καὶ ποιεῖν ἐξ αὐτοῦ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας ἄνευ κηροῦ τροχίσκους,
καὶ ἀποτέμνοντας χρῆσθαι διὰ τρίψεως σφοδροτέρας.
γίνεται μὲν οὖν καὶ ἐν Θρᾴκῃ, οὐχ οὕτω δὲ στερεόν,
30 ἀλλ' ὡσανεὶ ἀμμῶδες. ἅπαν δὲ μέλι πηγνύμενον τὸν ἴσον
ἔχειν ὄγκον φασίν, οὐχ ὥσπερ τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ τἆλλα ὑγρά.
Men say that in Lydia also the honey is gathered from the trees in abundance, and that the inhabitants form out of it balls without wax, and cutting off portions by very violent rubbing make use of it. It is produced indeed in Thrace likewise, not so solid, but as it were of a sandy nature. They say that all honey when congealed 30preserves ° an equal volume, not like water and all other liquids.
Chapter 20 (832a1–2)
832a
1 ἡ Χαλκιδικὴ πόα καὶ τὰ ἀμύγδαλα χρησιμώτατα πρὸς
τὸ μέλι ποιεῖν· πλεῖστον γὰρ γόνον φασὶν ἐξ αὐτῶν γίνεσθαι.
1The grass of Chalcis and almonds are most useful for making honey; for they say that a very large quantity is produced by them.
Chapter 21 (832a3–4)
τὰς μελίττας λέγουσιν ὑπὸ μύρου καροῦσθαι καὶ οὐκ
ἀνέχεσθαι τὴν ὀσμήν· ἔνιοι δὲ λέγουσι μάλιστα τοὺς μεμυρισμένους
5 τύπτειν.
People say that bees are stupefied by unguents, and are unable to endure the smell of them; while some say that they especially sting those who have been anointed.
Chapter 22 (832a5–13)
ἐν Ἰλλυριοῖς φασὶ τοὺς Ταυλαντίους
καλουμένους ἐκ τοῦ μέλιτος ποιεῖν οἶνον. ὅταν δὲ τὰ κηρία
ἐκθλίψωσιν, ὕδωρ ἐπιχέοντες ἕψουσιν ἐν λέβητι ἕως ἂν
ἐκλίπῃ τὸ ἥμισυ, ἔπειτα εἰς κεράμια ἐκχέαντες καὶ ἡμίσεα
ποιήσαντες τιθέασιν εἰς σανίδας· ἐν ταύταις δέ φασι
10 ζεῖν πολὺν χρόνον, καὶ γίνεσθαι οἰνῶδες καὶ ἄλλως ἡδὺ
καὶ εὔτονον. ἤδη δέ τισι καὶ τῶν ἐν Ἑλλάδι συμβεβηκέναι
λέγουσι τοῦτο, ὥστε μηδὲν διαφέρειν οἴνου παλαιοῦ· καὶ
ζητοῦντας ὕστερον τὴν κρᾶσιν μὴ δύνασθαι εὑρεῖν.
They say that among 5the Illyrians those who are called Taulantians make wine out of honey. When they have squeezed out the honey-combs, they pour water on the honey, and boil it in a caldron until half is consumed; then they pour it out into earthen jars, fill them half full, and lay them on boards; and on these they say it ferments for long time, and becomes like wine, while for the rest it is sweet and 10strong. But now they state that this mode of preparation was adopted also among some of the inhabitants of Greece, so that the drink did not differ from Because of the hardness of the honey. ci ela old wine, and that in later times, when they inquired into the method of mixing it, they were unable to discover it.
Chapter 23 (832a14–17)
Περὶ Θετταλίαν μνημονεύουσιν ὄφεις ζῳογονηθῆναι τοσούτους
15 ὥστε, εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ τῶν πελαργῶν ἀνῃροῦντο, ἐκχωρῆσαι
ἂν αὐτούς. διὸ δὴ καὶ τιμῶσι τοὺς πελαργούς, καὶ κτείνειν οὐ
νόμος· καὶ ἐάν τις κτείνῃ, ἔνοχος τοῖς αὐτοῖς γίνεται οἷσπερ
καὶ ὁ ἀνδροφόνος.
They relate that in Thessaly once upon a time so large a number of serpents was 15bred alive that, if they had not been exterminated by the storks, the inhabitants would have left the country. Wherefore they also honour the storks, and it is unlawful to kill them, and, if any one kills them, he becomes liable to the same penalties as a homicide.
Chapter 24 (832a18–21)
ὡσαύτως καὶ ἐν Λακεδαίμονι κατά τινας
χρόνους μνημονεύεται γενέσθαι τοσοῦτον πλῆθος ὄφεων ὥστε
20 διὰ σπανοσιτίαν καὶ τροφῇ τοὺς Λάκωνας χρῆσθαι αὐτοῖς·
ὅθεν καὶ τὴν Πυθίαν φασὶ προσαγορεῦσαι αὐτοὺς ὀφιοδείρους.
Likewise also it is related that there was once in Lacedaemon so great a multitude of serpents that the 20 Lacedaemonians, 20owing to a scarcity of corn, used them as food; whence also they say that the Pythian priestess called them ‘ serpent-necked ’.!
Chapter 25 (832a22–22)
Ἐν Κύπρῳ τῇ νήσῳ λέγεται τοὺς μῦς τὸν σίδηρον
ἐσθίειν.
It issaid that in the island of Gyaros * the mice eat iron.
Chapter 26 (832a23–25)
φασὶ δὲ καὶ τοὺς Χάλυβας ἔν τινι ὑπερκειμένῳ
αὐτοῖς νησιδίῳ τὸ χρυσίον συμφορεῖσθαι παρὰ πλειόνων.
25 διὸ δὴ καὶ τοὺς ἐν τοῖς μετάλλοις ἀνασχίζουσιν, ὡς ἔοικεν.
Men say that among the Chalybians, in an islet situated beyond them, gold is collected by mice in large numbers: wherefore also, as it appears, they rip up those that are found in the mines.
Chapter 27 (832a26–30)
Λέγεται δὲ ἐκ Σούσων εἰς Μηδίαν ἰοῦσιν ἐν τῷ δευτέρῳ
σταθμῷ σκορπίων ἄπλετόν τι πλῆθος γίνεσθαι. διὸ καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς
ὁ Περσῶν, ὅτε διοδεύοι, τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἔμενε, πᾶσι
τοῖς αὑτοῦ συντάσσων ἐκθηρεύειν· τῷ δὲ πλείστους θηρεύσαντι
30 ἆθλον ἐδίδου.
It is said 25that travellers going from Susa to Media meet with an immense multitude of scorpions at the second stage. So the King of the Persians, whenever he was passing through the place, remained there for three days, ordering all his men to hunt them down; and he gave a prize to him who caught the greatest number.
Chapter 28 (832a31–832b3)
Ἐν Κυρήνῃ δέ φασιν οὐχ ἓν εἶναι μυῶν γένος, ἀλλὰ
Men say that in Cyrene there is not merely one sort ° of mice, but several kinds 30differing both in forms and in colours; for some are broad-faced, like mustelae,?
832b
1 πλείω καὶ διάφορα καὶ ταῖς μορφαῖς καὶ ταῖς χρόαις·
ἐνίους γὰρ πλατυπροσώπους, ὥσπερ αἱ γαλαῖ, γίνεσθαι,
τινὰς δὲ ἐχινώδεις, οὓς καλοῦσιν ἐχῖνας.
1and some like hedgehogs, which they call ‘ echines ’.
Chapter 29 (832b4–6)
Περὶ Κιλικίαν δέ φασιν εἶναι ὕδατος συστρεμμάτιον,
5 εἰς ὃ τὰ πεπνιγμένα τῶν ὀρνέων καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν ζῴων ὅταν
ἀποβαφῇ, πάλιν ἀναβιοῖ.
In Cilicia they say that there is a whirlpool, in which birds, and animals besides, that have been suffocated, when immersed come to life again.
Chapter 30 (832b7–16)
Ἐν δὲ Σκύθαις τοῖς καλουμένοις Γελωνοῖς φασὶ θηρίον
τι γίνεσθαι, σπάνιον μὲν ὑπερβολῇ, ὃ ὀνομάζεται τάρανδος·
λέγεται δὲ τοῦτο μεταβάλλειν τὰς χρόας τῆς τριχὸς
10 καθ' ὃν ἂν καὶ τόπον ᾖ. διὰ δὲ τοῦτο εἶναι δυσθήρατον
[καὶ διὰ τὴν μεταβολήν]· καὶ γὰρ δένδρεσι καὶ τόποις,
καὶ ὅλως ἐν οἷς ἂν ᾖ, τοιοῦτον τῇ χροίᾳ γίνεσθαι.
θαυμασιώτατον δὲ τὸ τὴν τρίχα μεταβάλλειν· τὰ γὰρ
λοιπὰ τὸν χρῶτα, οἷον ὅ τε χαμαιλέων καὶ ὁ πολύπους.
15 τὸ δὲ μέγεθος ὡσανεὶ βοῦς. τοῦ δὲ προσώπου τὸν τύπον
ὅμοιον ἔχει ἐλάφῳ.
Among the Scythians who are called Geloni, they say that there is a 5certain wild animal, excessively rare indeed, which is named Tarandos.' Now this is said to change the colour of its hair, according to the place in which it may be; and for this reason it is hard to catch; for it becomes in colour like to trees and places, and its surroundings generally. But the most wonderful thing is its changing 10its hair; for other animals change the colour of the skin, such as the chameleon and polypus. In size it resembles an ox, while the form of its face is like that of a stag.
Chapter 31 (832b17–20)
Λέγεται δέ τινα ἐν Ἀβύδῳ παρακόψαντα τῇ διανοίᾳ
καὶ εἰς τὸ θέατρον ἐρχόμενον ἐπὶ πολλὰς ἡμέρας θεωρεῖν,
ὡς ὑποκρινομένων τινῶν, καὶ ἐπισημαίνεσθαι· καὶ ὡς κατέστη
20 τῆς παρακοπῆς, ἔφησεν ἐκεῖνον αὑτῷ τὸν χρόνον ἥδιστα
βεβιῶσθαι.
It is said that a certain,man in Abydos being deranged in mind, and coming into the theatre during many days looked on (as though actors were performing a play), 15and applauded; and, when he was restored to his senses, he declared that that was the happiest time he had ever spent.
Chapter 32 (832b21–25)
καὶ ἐν Τάραντι δέ φασιν οἰνοπώλην τινὰ τὴν
μὲν νύκτα μαίνεσθαι, τὴν δ' ἡμέραν οἰνοπωλεῖν. καὶ γὰρ
τὸ κλειδίον τοῦ οἰκήματος πρὸς τῷ ζωνίῳ διεφύλαττε,
πολλῶν δ' ἐπιχειρούντων παρελέσθαι καὶ λαβεῖν οὐδέποτε
25 ἀπώλεσεν.
Moreover they say that at Tarentum a certain winemerchant was mad at night, but sold his wines during the day: he also kept the key of the cellar attached to his girdle, and though many tried to steal it from him and 20get possession of it, he never lost it.
Chapter 33 (832b26–28)
Ἐν Τήνῳ τῇ νήσῳ φασὶν εἶναι φιάλιον σύγκραμα
ἔχον, ἐξ οὗ πῦρ ἀνάπτουσι πάνυ ῥᾳδίως. καὶ ἐν Βιθυνίᾳ
δὲ τῆς Θρᾴκης ἐν τοῖς μετάλλοις γίνεται ὁ καλούμενος
σπίνος, ἐξ οὗ φασὶ πῦρ ἀνάπτεσθαι.
In the island of Tenos they say there is a small bowl containing a mixture, from which people kindle fire very readily. Moreover in the Thracian Bithynia there is found in the mines the stone which is called ‘spinos’, 3° from which they say that fire is kindled.
Chapter 34 (832b29–30)
ἐν δὲ Λιπάρᾳ τῇ
30 νήσῳ λέγουσιν εἶναί τινα εἰσπνοήν, εἰς ἣν ἐὰν κρύψωσι
χύτραν, ἐμβαλόντες ὃ ἂν ἐθέλωσιν ἕψουσιν.
People say that in the island 25of Lipara there is a certain place where the air is sucked down into the earth, and that if they bury a pot there they can put therein whatever they please and boil it.
Chapter 35 (832b31–833a5)
ἔστι δὲ καὶ
° Both in Media and in Psittacene, a district of Persia, there are fires burning, that in Media small, but that in Psittacene large and with a bright flame; for which 30reason also the King of the Persians constructed kitchens near it.
833a
1 ἐν Μηδίᾳ καὶ ἐν Ψιττακηνῇ τῆς Περσίδος πυρὰ καιόμενα,
τὸ μὲν ἐν Μηδίᾳ ὀλίγον, τὸ δ' ἐν Ψιττακηνῇ πολὺ καὶ
καθαρὸν τῇ φλογί· διὸ καὶ μαγειρεῖα πρὸς αὐτῷ κατεσκεύασεν
ὁ Περσῶν βασιλεύς. ἄμφω δ' ἐν ὁμαλοῖς τόποις
5 καὶ οὐκ ἐν ὑψηλοῖς. ταῦτα δὲ καὶ νύκτωρ καὶ μεθ' ἡμέραν
φανερά, τὰ δὲ περὶ Παμφυλίαν νύκτωρ μόνον.
1Both these are in level, not in elevated places. These fires are conspicuous both by night and by day, while those in Pamphylia are seen only at night.
Chapter 36 (833a6–8)
φασὶ δὲ
καὶ περὶ Ἀτιτανίαν, πρὸς τοῖς ὁρίοις τῆς Ἀπολλωνιάτιδος,
εἶναί τινα πέτραν ἐξ ἧς τὸ μὲν ἀνιὸν πῦρ οὐ φανερόν ἐστιν,
ἐπειδὰν δὲ ἔλαιον ἐπιχυθῇ ἐπ' αὐτήν, ἐκφλογοῦται.
They say also that at Atitania, near the borders of the 5district of Apollonia, there is a certain rock, and fire rising from it is not visible, but whenever oil is poured thereon blazes up.
Chapter 37 (833a9–14)
λέγεται
10 δὲ καὶ τὰ ἔξω στηλῶν Ἡρακλείων καίεσθαι, τὰ μὲν
διὰ παντός, τὰ δὲ νύκτωρ μόνον, ὡς ὁ Ἄννωνος περίπλους
ἱστορεῖ. καὶ τὸ ἐν Λιπάρᾳ δὲ φανερὸν καὶ φλογῶδες,
οὐ μὴν ἡμέρας, ἀλλὰ νύκτωρ μόνον. εἶναι δὲ
καὶ ἐν Πιθηκούσαις φασὶ πυρῶδες μὲν καὶ θερμὸν ἐκτόπως,
15 οὐ μὴν καιόμενον.
[ is said that the places outside the Pillars of Hercules burn, some constantly, others at night only, as Hanno’s Circumnavigation 10relates. The fire also in Lipara is visible and flaming, yet not by day, but only at night. They say also that in Pithecusae the ground is fiery, and extraordi narily hot, yet not burning.
Chapter 38 (833a15–18)
τὸ δ' ἐν τῇ Λιπάρᾳ ποτὲ καὶ
ἐκλιπεῖν φησὶ Ξενοφάνης ἐπ' ἔτη ἑκκαίδεκα, τῷ δὲ ἑβδόμῳ
ἐπανελθεῖν. τὸν δ' ἐν τῇ Αἴτνῃ ῥύακα οὔτε φλογώδη
φασὶν οὔτε συνεχῆ, ἀλλὰ διὰ πολλῶν ἐτῶν γίνεσθαι.
Xenophanes states that the fire in Lipara once failed for sixteen years, 15but returned in the seventeenth year. They say that the lava-stream in Etna is neither flaming nor continuous, but returns only after an interval of many years.
Chapter 39 (833a19–19)
λέγεται δὲ καὶ περὶ Λυδίαν ἀναζέσαι πῦρ
20 πάμπληθες, καὶ καίεσθαι ἐφ' ἡμέρας ἑπτά.
8429 s It is said that in Lydia a vast amount of fire blazed up, and continued burning for seven 20days.
Chapter 40 (833a20–22)
θαυμαστὸν
δὲ τὸ ἐν Σικελίᾳ περὶ τὸν ῥύακα γινόμενον· τὸ γὰρ πλάτος
ἐστὶ τὸ τῆς τοῦ πυρὸς ἀναζέσεως τεσσαράκοντα σταδίων,
τὸ δὲ ὕψος δι' οὗ φέρεται, τριῶν.
The lava-stream in Sicily is an extraordinary phenomenon. The breadth of the fire that blazes up amounts to forty stadia, while the height to which it is carried amounts to three.
Chapter 41 (833a23–27)
φασὶ δὲ τὸν ἐν τῇ
Θρᾴκῃ λίθον τὸν καλούμενον σπίνον διακοπέντα καίεσθαι,
25 καὶ συντεθέντα πρὸς ἑαυτόν, ὥσπερ τὴν σμαρίλην, οὕτως
κἀκεῖνον εἰς ἑαυτὸν τεθέντα καὶ ἐπιρραινόμενον ὕδατι καίεσθαι.
τὸ δ' αὐτὸ ποιεῖν καὶ τὸν μαριέα.
They say that the stone in Thrace which is called 25 ‘spinos’ burns when split 25in two, and that it also, like charcoal-embers, when put together again, and sprinkled with water, burns; and that the stone called ‘ marieus’ does the same.
Chapter 42 (833a28–31)
Περὶ Φιλίππους τῆς Μακεδονίας εἶναι λέγουσι μέταλλα,
ἐξ ὧν τὰ ἐκβαλλόμενα ἀποσύρματα αὐξάνεσθαί φασι καὶ
30 φύειν χρυσίον, καὶ τοῦτ' εἶναι φανερόν. φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν
Κύπρῳ περὶ τὸν καλούμενον Τυρρίαν χαλκὸν ὅμοιον γίγνεσθαι.
At Philippi in Macedonia they state that there are mines, the refuse from which, they say, increases and 30pro duces gold, and that this is an observable fact.
Chapter 43 (833b1–2)
833b
1 κατακόψαντες γάρ, ὡς ἔοικεν, εἰς μικρὰ σπείρουσιν
αὐτόν· εἶθ' ὑδάτων ἐπιγενομένων αὐξάνεται καὶ ἐξανίησι
καὶ οὕτως συνάγεται.
1They say that in Cyprus, at the place called Tyrrhias,' copper is produced in like manner; for men having cut it up, as it appears, into small pieces, sow it, and then, when the rains have come on, it grows and springs up, and so is collected.
Chapter 44 (833b3–5)
φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν Μήλῳ τῇ νήσῳ ἐν
τοῖς ἐξορυσσομένοις τόποις τῆς γῆς πάλιν ἀναπληρώματα
5 γίγνεσθαι.
They say that in the island 5of Melos, in those parts of the ground that are dug up, the earth fills itself up again.
Chapter 45 (833b6–12)
Περὶ Παιονίαν λέγουσιν, ὅταν συνεχεῖς ὄμβροι γένωνται,
εὑρίσκεσθαι περιτηκομένης τῆς γῆς χρυσὸν τὸν καλούμενον
ἄπυρον. λέγουσι δ' ἐν τῇ Παιονίᾳ οὕτω χρυσίζειν
τὴν γῆν ὥστε πολλοὺς εὑρηκέναι καὶ ὑπὲρ μνᾶν χρυσίου
10 ὁλκήν. τῷ δὲ βασιλεῖ τινά φασιν εὑρόντα ἀνενεγκεῖν
δύο βώλους, τὸν μὲν τρεῖς μνᾶς ἄγοντα, τὸν δὲ πέντε· οὕς
φασιν ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης αὐτῷ παρακεῖσθαι, καὶ ἐπ' ἐκείνων
πρῶτον, εἴ τι ἐσθίει, ἀπάρχεσθαι.
In Paeonia they state that when continuous showers have fallen, and the ground is thoroughly soaked, there is found what is called gold without fire They state, too, that in Paeonia the ground is so rich in gold that many persons have found gold 10even exceeding a pound in weight. And they say that certain persons, who had found them, brought two nuggets to the king, one weighing three pounds, the other five; and they say that these are set beside him on the table, and, if he eats anything, he first offers a libation upon them.
Chapter 46 (833b13–17)
φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν
Βάκτροις τὸν Ὦξον ποταμὸν καταφέρειν βωλία χρυσίου
15 πλήθει πολλά, καὶ ἐν Ἰβηρίᾳ δὲ τὸν καλούμενον Θεόδωρον
ποταμὸν ἐκβράσσειν τε πολὺ περὶ τὰ χείλη χρυσίον,
ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ καταφέρειν.
They say that among the Bactrians also the river 15Oxus carries down numerous small nuggets of gold, and moreover that in Iberia the river called Theodorus * both throws out much gold on its banks, and likewise also carries it down the stream.
Chapter 47 (833b18–20)
Λέγουσι δὲ καὶ ἐν Πιερίᾳ τῆς Μακεδονίας ἄσημόν
τι χρυσίον κατορωρυγμένον ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχαίων βασιλέων,
20 χασμάτων τεττάρων ὄντων, ἐξ ἑνὸς αὐτῶν ἀναφῦναι
χρυσίον τὸ μέγεθος σπιθαμιαῖον.
They state also that in Pieria, a district of Macedonia, some uncoined gold was buried by the ancient kings, and, i while there were four cavities, 20from one of them gold grew up a span in length. }
Chapter 48 (833b21–31)
λέγεται δὲ ἰδιαιτάτην
εἶναι γένεσιν σιδήρου τοῦ Χαλυβικοῦ καὶ τοῦ Ἀμισηνοῦ.
συμφύεται γάρ, ὥς γε λέγουσιν, ἐκ τῆς ἄμμου
τῆς καταφερομένης ἐκ τῶν ποταμῶν. ταύτην δ' οἱ
25 μὲν ἁπλῶς φασὶ πλύναντας καμινεύειν, οἱ δὲ τὴν ὑπόστασιν
τὴν γενομένην ἐκ τῆς πλύσεως πολλάκις πλυθεῖσαν
συγκαίειν, παρεμβάλλειν δὲ τὸν πυρίμαχον καλούμενον
λίθον· εἶναι δ' ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ πολύν. οὗτος δ' ὁ σίδηρος
πολὺ τῶν ἄλλων γίνεται καλλίων. εἰ δὲ μὴ ἐν
30 μιᾷ καμίνῳ ἐκαίετο, οὐδὲν ἄν, ὡς ἔοικε, διέφερε τἀργυρίου.
μόνον δέ φασιν αὐτὸν ἀνίωτον εἶναι, οὐ πολὺν δὲ γίνεσθαι.
It is said that the production of the Chalybian and Amisenian iron is very peculiar; for it grows together,: as at least they assert, from the sand that is carried down by the rivers. Some say that they simply wash this, and: smelt it in a furnace; but others that, after frequently 25washq ing the deposit left by the first washing, they burn it, and insert what is called the fire-proof stone which is abundant ‘in the country. This iron is far more beautiful than the other kinds. But if it were not burnt in the furnace it 51,6. unsmelted, solid. would not at all differ, as it appears, from silver. Now they say that 30it alone is not liable to rust, but that it is not very plentiful.
Chapter 49 (834a1–5)
834a
1 Φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν Ἰνδοῖς τὸν χαλκὸν οὕτως εἶναι λαμπρὸν
καὶ καθαρὸν καὶ ἀνίωτον, ὥστε μὴ διαγινώσκεσθαι τῇ
χρόᾳ πρὸς τὸν χρυσόν, ἀλλ' ἐν τοῖς Δαρείου ποτηρίοις
βατιακὰς εἶναί τινας καὶ πλείους, ἃς εἰ μὴ τῇ ὀσμῇ, ἄλλως
5 οὐκ ἦν διαγνῶναι πότερόν εἰσι χαλκαῖ ἢ χρυσαῖ.
1They say also that among the Indians the copper is so bright, pure, and free from rust that it cannot be distinguished in colour from gold; moreover that among the cups of Darius there are certain goblets, and these not inconsiderable in number, as to which, except by 5their smell, one could not otherwise decide whether they are of copper or gold.
Chapter 50 (834a6–11)
Τὸν κασσίτερον τὸν Κελτικὸν τήκεσθαί φασι πολὺ
τάχιον μολύβδου. σημεῖον δὲ τῆς εὐτηξίας, ὅτι τήκεσθαι
δοκεῖ καὶ ἐν τῷ ὕδατι· χρώζει γοῦν, ὡς ἔοικε, ταχύ.
τήκεται δὲ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ψύχεσιν, ὅταν γένηται πάγη, ἐγκατακλειομένου
10 ἐντός, ὡς φασί, καὶ συνωθουμένου τοῦ
θερμοῦ τοῦ ἐνυπάρχοντος αὐτῷ διὰ τὴν ἀσθένειαν.
They say that the Celtic tin melts much more quickly than lead. A proof of its fusibility is that it is believed to melt even in water: at any rate, it seems, it stains quickly. Now it melts in the cold! also, when the weather is frosty, because, as they say, 10the hot substance inherent in it is by reason of its weakness shut up and compressed within.
Chapter 51 (834a12–22)
Ἐν τῷ Πανθείῳ ἐστὶν ἐλαία, καλεῖται δὲ καλλιστέφανος·
ταύτης πάντα τὰ φύλλα ταῖς λοιπαῖς ἐλαίαις ἐναντία
πέφυκεν· ἔξω γὰρ ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐντὸς ἔχει τὰ χλωρά. ἀφίησί
15 τε τοὺς πτόρθους ὥσπερ ἡ μύρτος εἰς τοὺς στεφάνους συμμέτρως.
ἀπὸ ταύτης φυτὸν λαβὼν ὁ Ἡρακλῆς ἐφύτευσεν
Ὀλυμπίασιν, ἀφ' ἧς οἱ στέφανοι τοῖς ἀθληταῖς δίδονται.
ἔστι δὲ αὕτη παρὰ τὸν Ἰλισσὸν ποταμόν, σταδίους ἑξήκοντα
τοῦ ποταμοῦ ἀπέχουσα· περιῳκοδόμηται δέ, καὶ ζημία
20 μεγάλη τῷ θιγόντι αὐτῆς ἐστίν. ἀπὸ ταύτης δὲ τὸ
φυτὸν λαβόντες ἐφύτευσαν Ἠλεῖοι ἐν Ὀλυμπίᾳ, καὶ τοὺς
στεφάνους ἀπ' αὐτῆς ἔδωκαν.
In the Pantheon there is an olive-tree, which is called that ‘of the beautiful crowns’. But all its leaves are contrary in appearance to those of other olive-trees; for it® has the pale-green outside, instead of inside, and it sends forth branches, 15like those of the myrtle, suitable for crowns. From this Heracles took a shoot, and planted it at Olympia, and from it are taken the crowns which are given to the combatants. This tree is near the river Ilissus, sixty stadia distant from the river. It is surrounded by a wall, and a severe penalty is imposed on any one who touches it. From 20this the Eleians took the shoot, and planted it in Olympia, and from it they took the crowns which they bestowed.
Chapter 52 (834a23–30)
Ἐν τοῖς περὶ Λυδίαν μετάλλοις τοῖς περὶ Πέργαμον,
ἃ δὴ καὶ Κροῖσος εἰργάσατο, πολέμου τινὸς γενομένου
25 κατέφυγον οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι ἐπ' αὐτά, τοῦ δὲ στομίου ἐποικοδομηθέντος
ἀπεπνίγησαν· καὶ ὕστερον χρόνῳ πολλῷ τῶν
μετάλλων ἀνακαθαρθέντων εὑρέθη οἷς ἐχρῶντο ἀγγείοις
πρὸς τὰς ὑπὸ χεῖρα χρείας ἀπολελιθωμένα, οἷον ἀμφορεῖς
καὶ τὰ τοιουτότροπα. ταῦτα δὴ πεπληρωμένα οὗ τινὸς ἔτυχον
30 ὑγροῦ ἐλελίθωτο, καὶ προσέτι τὰ ὀστᾶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
Inthe Lydian mines near Pergamos, which also Croesus had worked, the following incident occurred. When a certain war arose the workmen fled to them; but, as the mouth was built up, they were suffocated; and a long time 25afterwards, when the mines were cleared out, vessels, which they used to employ for daily uses, such as jars and the like, were found petrified. These, being filled with whatever liquid it might be, had been turned to stone, as well as the bones of the men.
Chapter 53 (834a31–32)
Ἐν τῇ Ἀσκανίᾳ λίμνῃ οὕτω νιτρῶδές ἐστι τὸ ὕδωρ ὥστε
τὰ ἱμάτια οὐδενὸς ἑτέρου ῥύμματος προσδεῖσθαι· κἂν
πλείω χρόνον ἐν τῷ ὕδατι ἐάσῃ τις, διαπίπτει.
In the Ascanian lake the water is so impregnated with soda that garments have need of 30no other cleansing substance; if one leaves them too long in the water they fall to pieces.
Chapter 54 (834a33–834b2)
περὶ τὴν
Ἀσκανίαν λίμνην Πυθόπολίς ἐστι κώμη ἀπέχουσα Κίου ὡς
35 σταδίους ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι, ἐν ᾗ τοῦ χειμῶνος ἀναξηραίνεται
Near the Ascanian lake is Pythopolis, a village about one hundred and twenty stadia distant from Cius, in which all the wells are dried up in the winter, so that one cannot dip a pitcher into them; but in the summer they are filled up to the brim.
834b
1 πάντα τὰ φρέατα ὥστε μὴ ἐνδέχεσθαι βάψαι τὸ ἀγγεῖον,
τοῦ δὲ θέρους πληροῦται ἕως τοῦ στόματος.
Chapter 55 (834b3–3)
Ὁ πορθμὸς ὁ μεταξὺ Σικελίας καὶ Ἰταλίας αὔξεται
καὶ φθίνει ἅμα τῷ σεληνίῳ.
1The strait between Sicily and Italy increases and diminishes along with the changes of the moon.
Chapter 56 (834b4–6)
καὶ διότι ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ τῆς
5 εἰς Συρακούσας κρήνη ἐστὶν ἐν λειμῶνι οὔτε μεγάλη οὔτε ὕδωρ
ἔχουσα πολύ· συναπαντήσαντος δὲ εἰς τὸν τόπον ὄχλου
πολλοῦ παρέσχεν ὕδωρ ἄφθονον.
It is stated also that on the road to Syracuse there is in a meadow a spring, neither large nor containing much water; but, when once a great crowd met at the place, 5it supplied water in abundance.
Chapter 57 (834b7–17)
ἔστι δὲ καὶ κρήνη τις
ἐν Παλικοῖς τῆς Σικελίας, ὡς δεκάκλινος· αὕτη δ' ἀναρρίπτει
ὕδωρ εἰς ὕψος ἓξ πήχεις, ὥστε ὑπὸ τῶν ἰδόντων νομίζεσθαι
10 κατακλυσθήσεσθαι τὸ πεδίον· καὶ πάλιν εἰς ταὐτὸ
καθίσταται. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ὅρκος, ὃς ἅγιος αὐτόθι δοκεῖ
εἶναι· ὅσα γὰρ ὄμνυσί τις, γράψας εἰς πινακίδιον ἐμβάλλει
εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ. ἐὰν μὲν οὖν εὐορκῇ, ἐπιπολάζει τὸ πινακίδιον·
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ εὐορκῇ, τὸ μὲν πινακίδιον βαρὺ γενόμενον
15 ἀφανίζεσθαί φασι, τὸν δ' ἄνθρωπον πίμπρασθαι.
διὸ δὴ λαμβάνειν τὸν ἱερέα παρ' αὐτοῦ ἐγγύας ὑπὲρ τοῦ
καθαίρειν τινὰ τὸ ἱερόν.
There is also a certain spring in Palici in Sicily, about as large as the space ten couches would occupy. This throws up water to the height of six cubits, so that it is thought by those who see it that the plain will be inundated; and again it returns to its original state. There is also a 10form of oath, which is considered to be sacred there; whatever oaths a man swears he writes on a little tablet, and throws into the water. If therefore he swears truly, the tablet floats on the top; but if he swears falsely, they say that the tablet grows heavy and disappears, while the manis burnt. Wherefore the priest 15takes security from him that some one shall purify the temple.
Chapter 58 (834b18–30)
Δημόνησος ἡ Καρχηδονίων νῆσος ἀπὸ Δημονήσου τοῦ
πρώτου ἐργασαμένου τὴν ἐπωνυμίαν εἴληφεν· ἔχει δ' ὁ
20 τόπος κυανοῦ τὸ μέταλλον καὶ χρυσοκόλλης. ταύτης δ' ἡ
καλλίστη πρὸς χρυσίον εὑρίσκει τιμήν· καὶ γὰρ φάρμακον
ὀφθαλμῶν ἐστίν. ἔστι δὲ αὐτόθι χαλκὸς κολυμβητὴς ἐν
δυοῖν ὀργυιαῖς τῆς θαλάσσης· ὅθεν ὁ ἐν Σικυῶνί ἐστιν ἀνδριὰς
ἐν τῷ ἀρχαίῳ νεῷ τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος καὶ ἐν Φενεῷ οἱ
25 ὀρείχαλκοι καλούμενοι. ἐπιγέγραπται δ' αὐτοῖς "Ἡρακλῆς
Ἀμφιτρύωνος Ἦλιν ἑλὼν ἀνέθηκεν." αἱρεῖ δὲ τὴν Ἦλιν
ἡγουμένης κατὰ χρησμὸν γυναικός, ἧς τὸν πατέρα Αὐγείαν
ἀπέκτεινεν. οἱ δὲ τὸν χαλκὸν ὀρύττοντες ὀξυδερκέστατοι
γίνονται, καὶ οἱ βλεφαρίδας μὴ ἔχοντες φύουσι· παρὸ καὶ
30 οἱ ἰατροὶ τῷ ἄνθει τοῦ χαλκοῦ καὶ τῇ τέφρᾳ τῇ Φρυγίᾳ χρῶνται
πρὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς.
Demonesus, the island of the Chalcedonians, received 20 115 name from Demonesus, who first cultivated it. The place contains the mine of cyanos and gold-solder. Of this latter the finest sort is worth its weight in gold, for it is also a remedy for the eyes. In 20the same place there is also copper, obtained by divers, two fathoms below the surface of the sea, from which was made the statue in Sicyon in the ancient temple of Apollo, and in Pheneus the so-called statues of mountain-copper. On these is the inscription Heracles, son of Amphitryon, having captured Elis, dedicated them’. 25Now he captured Elis guided, in accordance with an oracle, by a woman, whose father, Augeas, he had slain. Those who dig the copper become very sharp-sighted, and those who have no eyelashes grow them: wherefore also physicians use the flower of copper and Phrygian ashes for the eyes.
Chapter 59 (834b31–34)
ἔστι δὲ αὐτόθι σπήλαιον ὃ καλεῖται
γλαφυρόν· ἐν δὲ τούτῳ κίονες πεπήγασιν ἀπό τινων σταλαγμῶν.
ἀποδηλοῖ δὲ τοῦτο ἐν τῇ συναγωγῇ τῇ πρὸς τὸ ἔδαφος·
ἔστι γὰρ ταύτῃ στενώτατον.
35 Ἐκ
Now in the same place there is a cave 30which is called the pretty * cave. In this pillars have been formed by congelation from certain drippings of water: and this becomes evident from their being contracted * towards the ground, for the narrowest * part is there.°
Chapter 60 (834b35–835a5)
τοῦ ζεύγους δὲ τῶν ἀετῶν θάτερον τῶν ἐγγόνων
Of the offspring of a pair of eagles, so long as they pair together, every second one is a sea-eagle.
835a
1 ἁλιαίετος γίνεται παραλλάξ, ἕως ἂν σύζυγα γένηται. ἐκ
δὲ ἁλιαιέτων φήνη γίνεται, ἐκ δὲ τούτων περκνοὶ καὶ γῦπες·
οὗτοι δ' οὐκέτι διορίζουσι περὶ τοὺς γῦπας, ἀλλὰ γεννῶσι
τοὺς μεγάλους γῦπας· οὗτοι δ' εἰσὶν ἄγονοι. σημεῖον
5 δὲ τοῦτο, διότι νεοττιὰν οὐδεὶς ἑώρακε γυπὸς μεγάλου.
1Now from the 8355 sea-eagles springs an osprey, and from these black eagles and vultures: yet these on the other hand do not bring the breed of vultures to a close, but produce the great vultures, and these are barren. And a proof is this, that 5no one has ever seen a nest of a great vulture.
Chapter 61 (835a6–8)
Θαυμαστὸν δέ τί φασιν ἐν Ἰνδοῖς περὶ τὸν ἐκεῖ μόλυβδον
συμβαίνειν· ὅταν γὰρ τακεὶς εἰς ὕδωρ καταχυθῇ
ψυχρόν, ἐκπηδᾶν ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος.
A wonderful thing they say happens among the Indians’ with regard to the lead there; for when it has been melted and poured into cold water it jumps out of the water.
Chapter 62 (835a9–14)
Φασὶ τὸν Μοσσύνοικον χαλκὸν λαμπρότατον καὶ λευκότατον
10 εἶναι, οὐ παραμιγνυμένου αὐτῷ κασσιτέρου, ἀλλὰ
γῆς τινὸς αὐτοῦ γινομένης καὶ συνεψομένης αὐτῷ. λέγουσι
δὲ τὸν εὑρόντα τὴν κρᾶσιν μηδένα διδάξαι· διὸ τὰ προγεγονότα
ἐν τοῖς τόποις χαλκώματα διάφορα, τὰ δ' ἐπιγιγνόμενα
οὐκέτι.
Men say that the copper of the Mossynoeci is very brilliant and white, no tin being 10mixed with it; but there is a kind of earth there, which is smelted with it.6 They state that the man who discovered the mixture did not inform any one; so the copper vessels formerly produced - in these parts were excellent, but those subsequently made were no longer so.
Chapter 63 (835a15–21)
15 Ἐν τῷ Πόντῳ λέγουσι τοῦ χειμῶνος τῶν ὀρνέων τινὰ
εὑρίσκεσθαι φωλεύοντα, οὔτε ἀφοδεύοντα, οὔτε δὲ ὅταν
τὰ πτερὰ αὐτῶν τίλλωσιν, αἰσθάνεσθαι, οὔτε ὅταν ἐπὶ τὸν
ὀβελίσκον ἀναπαρῇ, ἀλλ' ὅταν ὑπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς διακαυθῇ.
πολλοὺς δὲ καὶ τῶν ἰχθύων λέγουσι περικοπέντας καὶ περιτμηθέντας
20 μὴ αἰσθάνεσθαι, ἀλλ' ὅταν ὑπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς διαθερμανθῶσιν.
Men state that in Pontus some birds 15during the winter 15! Capillary red copper-ore. are found lurking in holes, and not' discharging excrement, and when people pluck out their feathers they do not feel it, nor yet when they are pierced on a spit, but only when they have been burnt through with fire. They say that many fishes also, when 20trimmed and cut round, have no perception of it, but only when they have been. warmed through by fire.
Chapter 64 (835a22–25)
Ἡ μέλιττα δοκεῖ τὰς τροπὰς σημαίνειν τῷ ἐπὶ τὰ
ἔργα βαδίζειν, ᾧ καὶ οἱ μελιττοπόλοι σημείῳ χρῶνται·
ἠρεμία γὰρ αὐτῶν γίνεται. δοκοῦσι δὲ καὶ οἱ τέττιγες
25 ᾄδειν μετὰ τροπάς.
The bee is thought to announce the solstices by going to its labours, which the bee-keepers also use as a sign, for then they have rest. The grasshoppers also appear to chirp only after the solstices.
Chapter 65 (835a26–26)
Φασὶ δὲ καὶ τὸν ἐχῖνον ἄσιτον διαμένειν ἄχρι ἐνιαυτοῦ.
25They say also that the hedgehog continues without food for a year.
Chapter 66 (835a27–29)
Τὸν δὲ γαλεώτην, ὅταν ἐκδύσηται τὸ δέρμα, καθάπερ
οἱ ὄφεις, ἐπιστραφέντα καταπίνειν· τηρεῖσθαι γὰρ ὑπὸ
τῶν ἰατρῶν διὰ τὸ χρήσιμον εἶναι τοῖς ἐπιληπτικοῖς.
It is said that the spotted lizard, when it has stripped off its slough, like snakes, turns round and swallows it, because physicians look out for it, from its being serviceable to those who suffer from epilepsy.
Chapter 67 (835a30–32)
30 Λέγουσι δὲ καὶ τὸ τῆς ἄρκτου στέαρ, ὅταν διαπεπηγὸς
ᾖ διὰ τὸν χειμῶνα, καθ' ὃν ἂν χρόνον ἐκείνη φωλεύῃ,
αὐξάνεσθαι καὶ ὑπεραίρειν τὰ ἀγγεῖα ἐν οἷς ἂν ᾖ.
Men state also that the 30fat of the bear, when it has been congealed owing to the winter, increases as long as the bear lies hidden in its den, and overflows the vessels in which it is kept.
Chapter 68 (835a33–35)
Ἐν Κυρήνῃ φασὶ τοὺς ὄντας βατράχους ἀφώνους τὸ
παράπαν εἶναι. καὶ ἐν Μακεδονίᾳ ἐν τῇ τῶν Ἠμαθιωτῶν
35 χώρᾳ τοὺς σῦς εἶναι μώνυχας.
They say that the frogs in Cyrene are altogether dumb, and that in Macedonia, in the country of the Emathiotae, the swine have solid hoofs.
Chapter 69 (835b1–2)
835b
1 Ἐν Καππαδοκίᾳ φασὶν ἡμιόνους εἶναι γονίμους καὶ
ἐν Κρήτῃ αἰγείρους καρποφόρους.
1° They say that in Cappadocia there are mules possessed of generative powers, and in Crete black poplars which yield fruit.
Chapter 70 (835b3–4)
Φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν Σερίφῳ τοὺς βατράχους οὐκ ᾄδειν·
ἐὰν δὲ εἰς ἄλλον τόπον μετενεχθῶσιν, ᾄδουσιν.
They say also that in Seriphos the frogs do not croak; but if they are transferred to another place they croak.
Chapter 71 (835b5–6)
5 Ἐν Ἰνδοῖς ἐν τῷ Κέρατι καλουμένῳ ἰχθύδιά φασι
γίνεσθαι ἃ ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ πλανᾶται καὶ πάλιν ἀποτρέχει
εἰς τὸν ποταμόν.
Among the Indians, in what is called the Horn, it 5is stated that there are little fishes, which wander about on the dry land, and run away again into the river.
Chapter 72 (835b7–14)
φασὶ δὲ καὶ περὶ Βαβυλῶνά τινες ἰχθύας
τινὰς μένειν ἐν ταῖς τρώγλαις ταῖς ἐχούσαις ὑγρότητα
ξηραινομένου τοῦ ποταμοῦ· τούτους ἐξιόντας ἐπὶ τὰς ἅλως νέμεσθαι,
10 καὶ βαδίζειν ἐπὶ τῶν πτερύγων, καὶ ἀνακινεῖν τὴν οὐράν·
καὶ ὅταν διώκωνται, φεύγειν καὶ εἰσδύντας ἀντιπροσώπως
ἵστασθαι· πολλάκις γὰρ προσιέναι τινὰς καὶ ἐρεθίζειν. ἔχουσι
δὲ τὴν κεφαλὴν ὁμοίαν βατράχῳ θαλαττίῳ, τὸ δὲ ἄλλο
σῶμα κωβιῷ, βραγχία δὲ ὥσπερ καὶ οἱ ἄλλοι ἰχθύες.
Some say also that in the neighbourhood of Babylon certain fishes remain in the holes, which contain moisture, while the river is drying up; that they go out to the threshing-floors and feed, and walk upon their fins, and move the tail to and fro, 10and when they are pursued they flee, enter into their holes, and stand facing their pursuer; for people often approach and tease them, Their head is like that of the sea-frog, while the rest of the body resembles that of the gudgeon, and they have gills like other fishes.
Chapter 73 (835b15–22)
15 Ἐν Ἡρακλείᾳ δὲ τῇ ἐν τῷ Πόντῳ καὶ ἐν Ῥηγίῳ
γίνεσθαί φασιν ὀρυκτοὺς ἰχθῦς, τούτους δὲ μάλιστα κατὰ τὰ
ποτάμια καὶ τὰ ἔνυδρα χωρία. συμβαίνειν δέ ποτε ἀναξηραινομένων
τῶν χωρίων κατά τινας χρόνους συστέλλεσθαι
κατὰ γῆς, εἶτα μᾶλλον ἀναξηραινομένης διώκοντας τὴν ὑγρότητα
20 διίεσθαι εἰς τὴν ὕλην, εἶτα ξηραινομένης διαμένειν ἐν
τῇ ἰκμάδι, ὥσπερ τὰ ἐν ταῖς φωλεαῖς διαρκοῦντα. ὅταν
δὲ ἀνασκάπτωνται πρὶν ἢ τὰ ὕδατα ἐπιγενέσθαι, τότε
κινεῖσθαι.
At Heraclea in Pontus, and in Rhegium, they say there are fish obtained by digging, 15especially in places near rivers, and such as are well watered; and that it sometimes happens that when these places dry up at certain seasons, the fish shrink under the earth, and then when this dries up still more, they, in search of humidity, enter into the mud; then when this becomes dry, they remain in the moisture, like animals which continue in 20their holes; but, when they are dug up before the waters come on, they then move.
Chapter 74 (835b23–26)
φασὶ δὲ καὶ περὶ Παφλαγονίαν τοὺς ὀρυκτοὺς
γίνεσθαι ἰχθῦς κατὰ βάθους, τούτους δὲ τῇ ἀρετῇ ἀγαθούς,
25 οὔτε ὑδάτων φανερῶν πλησίον ὄντων οὔτε ποταμῶν ἐπιρρεόντων,
ἀλλ' αὐτῆς ζῳογονούσης τῆς γῆς.
They say also that in Paphlagonia the fish obtained by digging are met with deep in the ground, and that these are of an excellent quality, though neither is water to be seen close at hand, nor do rivers flow into the place; the - earth engenders them of itself.
Chapter 75 (835b27–28)
Τὰς ἐν Ἠπείρῳ ἐλάφους κατορύττειν φασὶ τὸ δεξιὸν
κέρας, ὅταν ἀποβάλωσι, καὶ εἶναι πρὸς πολλὰ χρήσιμον.
Men say that 25the stags in Epirus bury their right horn, when they have shed it, and that this is useful for many purposes.
Chapter 76 (835b29–29)
καὶ τὴν λύγκα δέ φασι τὸ οὖρον κατακαλύπτειν διὰ τὸ
30 πρὸς ἄλλα τε χρήσιμον εἶναι καὶ τὰς σφραγῖδας.
They say that the lynx too covers up its urine, because of its being useful: for signet-rings as well as for other things.
Chapter 77 (835b30–32)
φασὶ
δὲ καὶ τὴν φώκην ἐξεμεῖν τὴν πυτίαν, ὅταν ἁλίσκηται·
εἶναι δὲ φαρμακῶδες καὶ τοῖς ἐπιλήπτοις χρήσιμον.
They also state that the sea-calf, when taken, vomits out rennet, and that this is medicinal and serviceable to those who 30suffer from epilepsy.
Chapter 78 (835b33–836a6)
Λέγεται δὲ περὶ τὴν Ἰταλίαν ἐν τῷ Κιρκαίῳ ὄρει
φάρμακόν τι φύεσθαι θανάσιμον, ὃ τοιαύτην ἔχει τὴν
35 δύναμιν ὥστε, ἂν προσρανθῇ τινί, παραχρῆμα πίπτειν ποιεῖ,
It is said that on the Circaean mountain in Italy there grows a deadly poison, which is so potent that, if it be % sprinkled on any one, it straightway causes him to fall, and the hairs of his body to drop off, and generally the limbs of his body to waste away, so that the surface of the body of those who are dying is a pitiable sight.
836a
1 καὶ τὰς τρίχας τὰς ἐν τῷ σώματι ἀπομαδᾶν, καὶ τὸ
σύνολον τοῦ σώματος διαρρεῖν τὰ μέλη, ὥστε τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν
τοῦ σώματος εἶναι τῶν ἀπολλυμένων ἐλεεινήν. τοῦτο
δέ φασι μέλλοντας διδόναι Κλεωνύμῳ τῷ Σπαρτιάτῃ
5 Αὖλον τὸν Πευκέστιον καὶ Γάϊον φωραθῆναι, καὶ ἐξετασθέντας
ὑπὸ Ταραντίνων θανατωθῆναι.
1They say too that Aulus the Peucestian and Gaius were detected when about to administer this poison to Cleonymus the Spartan, and that having been examined they were put to death by the Tarentines.
Chapter 79 (836a7–18)
Ἐν τῇ Διομηδείᾳ νήσῳ, ἣ κεῖται ἐν τῷ Ἀδρίᾳ, φασὶν
ἱερόν τι εἶναι τοῦ Διομήδους θαυμαστόν τε καὶ ἅγιον, περὶ δὲ
τὸ ἱερὸν κύκλῳ περικαθῆσθαι ὄρνιθας μεγάλους τοῖς μεγέθεσι,
10 καὶ ῥύγχη ἔχοντας μεγάλα καὶ σκληρά. τούτους λέγουσιν, ἐὰν
μὲν Ἕλληνες ἀποβαίνωσιν εἰς τὸν τόπον, ἡσυχίαν ἔχειν, ἐὰν
δὲ τῶν βαρβάρων τινὲς τῶν περιοίκων, ἀνίπτασθαι καὶ αἰωρουμένους
καταράσσειν αὑτοὺς εἰς τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ
τοῖς ῥύγχεσι τιτρώσκοντας ἀποκτείνειν. μυθεύεται δὲ τούτους
15 γενέσθαι ἐκ τῶν ἑταίρων τῶν τοῦ Διομήδους, ναυαγησάντων
μὲν αὐτῶν περὶ τὴν νῆσον, τοῦ δὲ Διομήδους δολοφονηθέντος
ὑπὸ τοῦ Αἰνέου τοῦ τότε βασιλέως τῶν τόπων
ἐκείνων γενομένου.
In the island of 5Diomedeia, which lies in the Adriatic, they say there is a temple of Diomedes, wonderful and holy, and round the temple there sit in a circle birds of a large size, having great hard beaks. These birds, they state, if Greeks land at the place, keep quiet; but if any of 10the barbarians who live around them approach, they fly up, and soaring in the air swoop down upon their heads, and, wounding them with their beaks, kill them. The story goes that the companions of Diomedes were metamorphosed! into these, when they had been shipwrecked 15off the island and Diomedes was treacherously slain by Aeneas, who was then king of those regions.
Chapter 80 (836a19–23)
Παρὰ τοῖς Ὀμβρικοῖς φασὶ τὰ βοσκήματα τίκτειν
20 τρὶς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ, καὶ τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτοῖς τὴν γῆν πολλαπλασίους
ἀνίεσθαι τῶν καταβαλλομένων· εἶναι δὲ καὶ τὰς
γυναῖκας πολυγόνους καὶ σπανίως ἓν τίκτειν, τὰς δὲ
πλείστας δύο καὶ τρία.
Among the Umbrians they say that the cattle bring forth young three times in the year, and that the earth yields many times more fruit than the seed that is sown: that 20the women also are prolific, and rarely bring forth only one child at a time, but most of them have two or three.
Chapter 81 (836a24–836b12)
Ἐν ταῖς Ἠλεκτρίσι νήσοις, αἳ κεῖνται ἐν τῷ μυχῷ
25 τοῦ Ἀδρίου, φασὶν εἶναι δύο ἀνδριάντας ἀνακειμένους, τὸν
μὲν κασσιτέρινον τὸν δὲ χαλκοῦν, εἰργασμένους τὸν ἀρχαῖον
τρόπον. λέγεται δὲ τούτους Δαιδάλου εἶναι ἔργα,
ὑπόμνημα τῶν πάλαι, ὅτε Μίνω φεύγων ἐκ Σικελίας καὶ
Κρήτης εἰς τούτους τοὺς τόπους παρέβαλε. ταύτας δὲ τὰς
30 νήσους φασὶ προκεχωκέναι τὸν Ἠριδανὸν ποταμόν. ἔστι δὲ
καὶ λίμνη, ὡς ἔοικε, πλησίον τοῦ ποταμοῦ, ὕδωρ ἔχουσα
θερμόν· ὀσμὴ δ' ἀπ' αὐτῆς βαρεῖα καὶ χαλεπὴ ἀποπνεῖ,
καὶ οὔτε ζῷον οὐδὲν πίνει ἐξ αὐτῆς οὔτε ὄρνεον ὑπερίπταται,
ἀλλὰ πίπτει καὶ ἀποθνήσκει. ἔχει δὲ τὸν μὲν κύκλον
2: In the Amber islands, which are situated in the corner of the Adriatic, they say that there are two statues erected, the one of tin, the other of bronze, 25wrought after the ancient fashion. It is stated that these are works of Daedalus, a memorial of old times, when he, fleeing before Minos from Sicily and Crete, put in to these places. But they say that the river Eridanus formed these islands by alluvial deposit. 30Moreover, as it appears, there is near the river a lake, containing hot water, and a smell exhales from it heavy and unpleasant, and neither does any animal drink from it, nor does a bird fly over it, but falls and dies.
836b
1 σταδίων διακοσίων, τὸ δὲ εὖρος ὡς δέκα. μυθεύουσι δὲ οἱ
ἐγχώριοι Φαέθοντα κεραυνωθέντα πεσεῖν εἰς ταύτην τὴν
λίμνην. εἶναι δ' ἐν αὐτῇ αἰγείρους πολλάς, ἐξ ὧν ἐκπίπτειν
τὸ καλούμενον ἤλεκτρον. τοῦτο δὲ λέγουσιν ὅμοιον
5 εἶναι κόμμι, ἀποσκληρύνεσθαι δὲ ὡσανεὶ λίθον, καὶ συλλεγόμενον
ὑπὸ τῶν ἐγχωρίων διαφέρεσθαι εἰς τοὺς Ἕλληνας.
εἰς ταύτας οὖν τὰς νήσους Δαίδαλόν φασιν ἐλθεῖν,
καὶ κατασχόντα αὐτὰς ἀναθεῖναι ἐν μιᾷ αὐτῶν τὴν αὑτοῦ
εἰκόνα, καὶ τὴν τοῦ υἱοῦ Ἰκάρου ἐν τῇ ἑτέρᾳ. ὕστερον δ' ἐπιπλευσάντων
10 ἐπ' αὐτοὺς Πελασγῶν τῶν ἐκπεσόντων ἐξ
Ἄργους φυγεῖν τὸν Δαίδαλον, καὶ ἀφικέσθαι εἰς Ἴκαρον
τὴν νῆσον.
1° It has a circumference of two hundred stadia, a width of about ten. Now the inhabitants tell the story that Phaethon, when struck by the thunderbolt, fell into this lake; and that therein are many black poplars, from which falls 5what is called amber.* This, they say, resembles gum, and ee eee hardens like a stone, and, when collected by the inhabitants, is carried over to the Greeks. To these islands, therefore, they state that Daedalus came, and, having obtained possession of them, dedicated in one of them his own 10statue, and in the other that of his son Icarus; but that ro afterwards, when the Pelasgians, who had been expelled from Argos, sailed against them, Daedalus fled, and arrived at the island of Icarus.
Chapter 82 (836b13–26)
Ἐν τῇ Σικελίᾳ περὶ τὴν καλουμένην Ἔνναν σπήλαιόν
τι λέγεται εἶναι, περὶ ὃ κύκλῳ πεφυκέναι φασὶ τῶν τε
15 ἄλλων ἀνθέων πλῆθος ἀνὰ πᾶσαν ὥραν, πολὺ δὲ μάλιστα
τῶν ἴων ἀπέραντόν τινα τόπον συμπεπληρῶσθαι, ἃ τὴν
σύνεγγυς χώραν εὐωδίας πληροῖ, ὥστε τοὺς κυνηγοῦντας,
τῶν κυνῶν κρατουμένων ὑπὸ τῆς ὀδμῆς, ἐξαδυνατεῖν τοὺς
λαγὼς ἰχνεύειν. διὰ δὲ τούτου τοῦ χάσματος ἀσυμφανής
20 ἐστιν ὑπόνομος, καθ' ὅν φασι τὴν ἁρπαγὴν ποιήσασθαι
τὸν Πλούτωνα τῆς Κόρης. εὑρίσκεσθαι δέ φασιν ἐν τούτῳ
τῷ τόπῳ πυροὺς οὔτε τοῖς ἐγχωρίοις ὁμοίους οἷς χρῶνται
οὔτε ἄλλοις ἐπεισάκτοις, ἀλλ' ἰδιότητά τινα μεγάλην
ἔχοντας. καὶ τούτῳ σημειοῦνται τὸ πρώτως παρ' αὑτοῖς
25 φανῆναι πύρινον καρπόν. ὅθεν καὶ τῆς Δήμητρος ἀντιποιοῦνται,
φάμενοι παρ' αὑτοῖς τὴν θεὸν γεγονέναι.
In Sicily, in the neighbourhood of the place called Enna, there is said to be a cave, round 15about which they assert that there not only grows a quantity of other kinds of flowers at every season of the year, but that especially an immense space is covered with violets, which fill the adjoining country with fragrance, so that the huntsmen are unable to track the hares, as their 20dogs are overcome by the smell. Through this chasm there is an invisible subterranean passage, by which they say Pluto carried off Proserpine. In this place it is said that wheat is found, resembling neither the native sorts, which people use, nor other kinds that are imported, but possessed 25of a great peculiarity. And this they use as an argument to prove that the wheat-fruit appeared first among themselves; whence also they lay claim to Demeter, affirming that the goddess was born amongst them.
Chapter 83 (836b27–29)
Ἐν Κρήτῃ λύκους καὶ ἄρκτους τούς τ' ἔχεις, ὁμοίως
δὲ καὶ τὰ παραπλήσια τούτοις θηρία οὔ φασι γίνεσθαι
διὰ τὸ τὸν Δία γενέσθαι ἐν αὐτῇ.
. In Crete men say that there are no wolves, bears, and vipers, and similarly no 30wild beasts like them, because Zeus was born therein.
Chapter 84 (836b30–837a6)
30 Ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ τῇ ἔξω Ἡρακλείων στηλῶν φασὶν
ὑπὸ Καρχηδονίων νῆσον εὑρεθῆναι ἐρήμην, ἔχουσαν ὕλην τε
παντοδαπὴν καὶ ποταμοὺς πλωτούς, καὶ τοῖς λοιποῖς καρποῖς
θαυμαστήν, ἀπέχουσαν δὲ πλειόνων ἡμερῶν πλοῦν· ἐν
ᾗ ἐπιμισγομένων τῶν Καρχηδονίων πολλάκις διὰ τὴν εὐδαιμονίαν,
spread a report about it, or a large number might gather together to the island in their time,’ get possession of the authority, and destroy the prosperity of the Carthaginians.
837a
1 ἐνίων γε μὴν καὶ οἰκούντων, τοὺς προεστῶτας τῶν
Καρχηδονίων ἀπείπασθαι θανάτῳ ζημιοῦν τοὺς εἰς αὐτὴν
πλευσομένους, καὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας πάντας ἀφανίσαι, ἵνα
μὴ διαγγέλλωσι, μηδὲ πλῆθος συστραφὲν ἐπ' αὐτῶν ἐπὶ
5 τὴν νῆσον κυρίας τύχῃ καὶ τὴν τῶν Καρχηδονίων εὐδαιμονίαν
ἀφέληται.
Chapter 85 (837a7–11)
Ἐκ τῆς Ἰταλίας φασὶν ἕως τῆς Κελτικῆς καὶ Κελτολιγύων
καὶ Ἰβήρων εἶναί τινα ὁδὸν Ἡράκλειαν καλουμένην,
δι' ἧς ἐάν τε Ἕλλην ἐάν τε ἐγχώριός τις πορεύηται,
10 τηρεῖσθαι ὑπὸ τῶν παροικούντων, ὅπως μηδὲν ἀδικηθῇ· τὴν
γὰρ ζημίαν ἐκτίνειν καθ' οὓς ἂν γένηται τὸ ἀδίκημα.
1From Italy as far as the country of the Celts, Celtoligurians, and Iberians, they say there is a certain road, called the ‘road of Heracles’, by which whether a Greek or a native travels, he is watched by the neighbouring 5tribes, so that he may receive no injury; for those amongst whom the injury has been done must pay the penalty.
Chapter 86 (837a12–23)
Φασὶ δὲ παρὰ τοῖς Κελτοῖς φάρμακον ὑπάρχειν τὸ
καλούμενον ὑπ' αὐτῶν τοξικόν· ὃ λέγουσιν οὕτω ταχεῖαν
ποιεῖν τὴν φθορὰν ὥστε τῶν Κελτῶν τοὺς κυνηγοῦντας, ὅταν
15 ἔλαφον ἢ ἄλλο τι ζῷον τοξεύσωσιν, ἐπιτρέχοντας ἐκ σπουδῆς
ἐκτέμνειν τῆς σαρκὸς τὸ τετρωμένον πρὸ τοῦ τὸ φάρμακον
διαδῦναι, ἅμα μὲν τῆς προσφορᾶς ἕνεκα, ἅμα δὲ
ὅπως μὴ σαπῇ τὸ ζῷον. εὑρῆσθαι δὲ τούτῳ λέγουσιν ἀντιφάρμακον
τὸν τῆς δρυὸς φλοιόν· οἱ δ' ἕτερόν τι φύλλον,
20 ὃ καλοῦσι κοράκιον διὰ τὸ κατανοηθῆναι ὑπ' αὐτῶν κόρακα,
γευσάμενον τοῦ φαρμάκου καὶ κακῶς διατιθέμενον,
ἐπὶ τὸ φύλλον ὁρμήσαντα τοῦτο καὶ καταπιόντα παύσασθαι
τῆς ἀλγηδόνος.
They say that among the Celts there is a poison called by them ‘arrow-poison’, which they assert produces corruption so quickly that the Celtic huntsmen, 10when they have shot a stag, or any other animal, run up to it in haste, and cut out the wounded part of the flesh, before the poison spreads, as well for the sake of the food as to prevent the animal from putrefying. They say, however, that the bark of the oak was found to 15be an antidote for this; but others maintain that the antidote is something different, a leaf, which they call ravenswort,? because raven, which had tasted the poison, and become sick, was observed by them to hasten for this leaf, and, after devouring it, to be delivered 20from its pain.
Chapter 87 (837a24–29)
Ἐν τῇ Ἰβηρίᾳ λέγουσι τῶν δρυμῶν ἐμπρησθέντων ὑπό
25 τινων ποιμένων, καὶ τῆς γῆς διαθερμανθείσης ὑπὸ τῆς
ὕλης, φανερῶς ἀργύρῳ ῥεῦσαι τὴν χώραν, καὶ μετὰ χρόνον
σεισμῶν ἐπιγενομένων καὶ τῶν τόπων ῥαγέντων πάμπληθες
συναχθῆναι ἀργύριον, ὃ δὴ καὶ τοῖς Μασσαλιώταις
πρόσοδον ἐποίησεν οὐ τὴν τυχοῦσαν.
In Iberia they say that, when the coppices were set on fire by certain shepherds, and the earth was heated by the wood, the country visibly flowed with silver; and when, after some time, earthquakes succeeded, and the ground in different places burst 25asunder, a large quantity of silver was collected, which brought in no ordinary revenue to the Massilians.
Chapter 88 (837a30–837b7)
30 Ἐν ταῖς Γυμνησίαις ταῖς κειμέναις νήσοις κατὰ τὴν
Ἰβηρίαν, ἃς μετὰ τὰς λεγομένας ἑπτὰ μεγίστας λέγουσιν
εἶναι, φασὶν ἔλαιον μὴ γίνεσθαι ἐξ ἐλαιῶν, ἐκ δὲ τῆς
τερμίνθου κομιδῇ πολὺ καὶ εἰς πάντα ἁρμόττον. λέγουσι
δὲ οὕτω τοὺς οἰκοῦντας αὐτὰς Ἴβηρας καταγύνους εἶναι ὥστε
35 ἀντὶ ἑνὸς σώματος θηλυκοῦ διδόναι τοῖς ἐμπόροις τέτταρα
In the islands called Gymnesiae,’ that lie off the coast of Iberia, which they assert to be the largest, after the socalled seven * islands, they say that oil is not 30produced from olives, but from the turpentine-tree in very large quantities, and adapted for every purpose. Moreover they affirm that the Iberians, who inhabit those islands, are so fond of women that they give to the merchants four or five males in exchange for one female.
837b
1 καὶ πέντε σώματα ἄρρενα. στρατευόμενοι δὲ παρὰ Καρχηδονίοις
τοὺς μισθοὺς ὅταν λάβωσιν, ἄλλο μέν, ὡς ἔοικεν,
οὐδὲν ἀγοράζουσι, γυναῖκας δέ. οὐ γὰρ χρυσίον οὐδὲ ἀργύριον
ἔξεστι παρ' αὐτοῖς οὐδένα ἔχειν. ἐπιλέγεται δέ τι τοιοῦτον
5 ἐπὶ τῷ κωλύειν χρήματα εἰσάγειν αὐτούς, ὅτι τὴν
στρατείαν Ἡρακλῆς ἐποιήσατο ἐπὶ τὴν Ἰβηρίαν διὰ τοὺς
τῶν ἐνοικούντων πλούτους.
1When they receive their pay, while serving with the Carthaginians, they purchase, it seems, nothing else but women; for no man amongst them is allowed to have gold or silver. But as a reason for their forbidding the introduction of money,; some such 5statement as this is added, that Heracles made his expedition against Iberia for the sake of the riches of the inhabitants.
Chapter 89 (837b8–15)
Ἐν τῇ τῶν Μασσαλιωτῶν χώρᾳ περὶ τὴν Λιγυστικήν
φασιν εἶναί τινα λίμνην, ταύτην δὲ ἀναζεῖν καὶ ὑπερχεῖσθαι,
10 καὶ τοσούτους ἰχθῦς ἐκβάλλειν τὸ πλῆθος ὥστε μὴ
πιστεύειν. ἐπειδὰν δὲ οἱ ἐτησίαι πνεύσωσιν, ἐπιχώννυσθαι
τὸ ἔδαφος ἐπ' αὐτήν, καὶ τοιοῦτον κονιορτὸν γίνεσθαι αὐτόθι,
καὶ ἀποστερεοῦσθαι τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν αὐτῆς ὡσανεὶ
ἔδαφος. τοῖς δὲ τριόδουσι διακόπτοντας τοὺς ἐγχωρίους
15 ἑτοίμως ὅσους ἂν βούλωνται ἰχθύας ἐξαίρειν ἐξ αὐτῆς.
In the country of the Massilians, on the borders of Liguria, they say there is a certain lake, and that this boils up and overflows, and casts out so great a quantity ro of fish as to surpass belief. 10But whenever the monsoons blow the soil is heaped up upon it (such dust arises there), and its surface becomes solid like the ground, and the natives, piercing it with tridents,' easily take out of it as is much fish as they please.
Chapter 90 (837b16–18)
λέγεται δέ τινας τῶν Λιγύων οὕτω σφενδονᾶν εὖ ὥστε,
ὅταν πλείους ἴδωσιν ὄρνιθας, διερεθίζεσθαι πρὸς ἀλλήλους
ποῖον ἕκαστος παρασκευάζεται βαλεῖν, ὡς ἑτοίμως ἁπάντων
τευξομένων.
It is said that some of the Ligurians sling so skilfully that, when they see several 15birds, they contend with one another about which bird each is preparing to strike, presuming that all will easily hit their mark.
Chapter 91 (837b19–22)
ἴδιον δέ φασι καὶ τοῦτο παρ' αὐτοῖς
20 εἶναι· αἱ γυναῖκες ἅμα ἐργαζόμεναι τίκτουσιν, καὶ τὸ
παιδίον ὕδατι περικλύσασαι παραχρῆμα σκάπτουσι καὶ
σκάλλουσι καὶ τἆλλα οἰκονομοῦσιν ἃ καὶ μὴ τικτούσαις
αὐταῖς ἦν πρακτέον.
They say that there is also this peculiarity amongst them: the women bring forth whilst engaged in work, and after washing the child with water, they immediately dig and hoe, and attend to 20their other household duties, which they were obliged to perform before the time of their delivery.
Chapter 92 (837b23–25)
θαῦμα δὲ καὶ τοῦτο παρὰ τοῖς
Λίγυσι· φασὶ γὰρ παρ' αὐτοῖς ποταμὸν εἶναι οὗ τὸ ῥεῦμα
25 αἴρεται μετέωρον καὶ ῥεῖ, ὥστε τοὺς πέραν μὴ ὁρᾶσθαι.
This is also a marvel among the Ligurians: they say a that there is a river in their country whose stream is lifted up on high and flows along so that those on the other side cannot be seen.
Chapter 93 (837b26–31)
Ἐν δὲ τῇ Τυρρηνίᾳ λέγεταί τις νῆσος Αἰθάλεια ὀνομαζομένη,
ἐν ᾗ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μετάλλου πρότερον μὲν χαλκὸς
ὠρύσσετο, ἐξ οὗ φασὶ πάντα κεχαλκευμένα παρ'
αὐτοῖς εἶναι, ἔπειτα μηκέτι εὑρίσκεσθαι, χρόνου δὲ διελθόντος
30 πολλοῦ φανῆναι ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ μετάλλου σίδηρον, ᾧ
νῦν ἔτι χρῶνται Τυρρηνοὶ οἱ τὸ καλούμενον Ποπλώνιον οἰκοῦντες.
In Etruria there is said 25to be a certain island named Aethaleia, in which out of a certain mine in former days copper was dug, from which they say that all the copper vessels amongst them have been wrought; that afterwards it could no longer be found: but, when a long interval of. time had elapsed, from the same mine iron was produced, which 30the Etrurians, who inhabit the town called Populonium, use to the present day.
Chapter 94 (837b32–838a4)
ἔστι δέ τις ἐν τῇ Τυρρηνίᾳ πόλις Οἰναρέα καλουμένη,
ἣν ὑπερβολῇ φασὶν ὀχυρὰν εἶναι· ἐν γὰρ μέσῃ
αὐτῇ λόφος ἐστὶν ὑψηλός, τριάκοντα σταδίους ἀνέχων ἄνω,
35 καὶ κάτω ὕλην παντοδαπὴν καὶ ὕδατα. φοβουμένους οὖν
Now in Etruria there is a certain city called Oenarea,! which they say is exceedingly strong; for in the midst of it there is a lofty hill, rising upwards to the height of thirty stadia, and having at its foot wood of all sorts, and waters.
838a
1 τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας λέγουσι μή τις τύραννος γένηται, προΐστασθαι
αὑτῶν τοὺς ἐκ τῶν οἰκετῶν ἠλευθερωμένους· καὶ
οὗτοι ἄρχουσιν αὐτῶν, κατ' ἐνιαυτὸν δ' ἄλλους ἀντικαθιστάναι
τοιούτους.
18385 They say, therefore, that the inhabitants, fearing lest some one should become despot, set over themselves those of their slaves who had been manumitted, and these have dominion over them; but every year they appoint others of the same class in their stead,
Chapter 95 (838a5–14)
5 Ἐν τῇ Κύμῃ τῇ περὶ τὴν Ἰταλίαν δείκνυταί τις, ὡς
ἔοικε, θάλαμος κατάγειος Σιβύλλης τῆς χρησμολόγου,
ἣν πολυχρονιωτάτην γενομένην παρθένον διαμεῖναί φασιν,
οὖσαν μὲν Ἐρυθραίαν, ὑπό τινων δὲ τὴν Ἰταλίαν κατοικούντων
Κυμαίαν, ὑπὸ δέ τινων Μελάγκραιραν καλουμένην.
10 τοῦτον δὲ τὸν τόπον λέγεται κυριεύεσθαι ὑπὸ Λευκανῶν.
εἶναι δὲ λέγουσιν ἐν ἐκείνοις τοῖς τόποις περὶ τὴν
Κύμην ποταμόν τινα Κετὸν ὀνομαζόμενον, εἰς ὅν φασι
τὸν πλείω χρόνον τὸ ἐμβληθὲν πρῶτον περιφύεσθαι καὶ
τέλος ἀπολιθοῦσθαι.
s At Cumae 5in Italy there is shown, it appears, a subterranean bed-chamber of the prophetic Sibyl, who, they say, was of a very great age, and had always remained a virgin, being a native of Erythrae, but by some of the inhabitants of Italy called a native of Cumae, and by some named Melancraera.? It is said that this place is under the sway of the 10Lucanians. They state moreover that in those parts about Cumae there is a certain river called Cetus,? and they say that whatever is thrown into this is after a considerable time first coated over, and finally turns into stone.
Chapter 96 (838a15–26)
15 Ἀλκιμένει τῷ Συβαρίτῃ φασὶ κατασκευασθῆναι ἱμάτιον
τοιοῦτον τῇ πολυτελείᾳ, ὥστε προτίθεσθαι αὐτὸ ἐπὶ
Λακινίῳ τῇ πανηγύρει τῆς Ἥρας, εἰς ἣν συμπορεύονται
πάντες Ἰταλιῶται, τῶν τε δεικνυμένων μάλιστα πάντων
ἐκεῖνο θαυμάζεσθαι· οὗ φασὶ κυριεύσαντα Διονύσιον τὸν
20 πρεσβύτερον ἀποδόσθαι Καρχηδονίοις ἑκατὸν καὶ εἴκοσι
ταλάντων. ἦν δ' αὐτὸ μὲν ἁλουργές, τῷ δὲ μεγέθει πεντεκαιδεκάπηχυ,
ἑκατέρωθεν δὲ διείληπτο ζῳδίοις ἐνυφασμένοις,
ἄνωθεν μὲν Σούσοις, κάτωθεν δὲ Πέρσαις· ἀνὰ μέσον
δὲ ἦν Ζεύς, Ἥρα, Θέμις, Ἀθηνᾶ, Ἀπόλλων, Ἀφροδίτη.
25 παρὰ δ' ἑκάτερον πέρας Ἀλκιμένης ἦν, ἑκατέρωθεν
δὲ Σύβαρις.
Men say that for Alcimenes, the Sybarite, a mantle was prepared of such magnificence, that it was exhibited at 15Lacinium during the festival of Hera, to which all the Italians assemble, and that it was admired more than all the things that were shown there. Of this they say that Dionysius the Elder obtained possession, and sold it to.. the Carthaginians for one hundred and twenty talents. It was of purple, fifteen cubits in width, and was adorned on either 20side with little figures inwoven, above with Susa, below with Persians; in the middle were Zeus, Hera, Themis, Athene, Apollo, and Aphrodite. Near each extremity was Alcimenes, and on both sides Sybaris.
Chapter 97 (838a27–33)
Περὶ τὴν ἄκραν τὴν Ἰαπυγίαν φασὶν ἔκ τινος τόπου,
ἐν ᾧ συνέβη γενέσθαι, ὡς μυθολογοῦσιν, Ἡρακλεῖ πρὸς
γίγαντας μάχην, ῥεῖν ἰχῶρα πολὺν καὶ τοιοῦτον ὥστε
30 διὰ τὸ βάρος τῆς ὀσμῆς ἄπλουν εἶναι τὴν κατὰ τὸν τόπον
θάλασσαν. λέγουσι δὲ πολλαχοῦ τῆς Ἰταλίας Ἡρακλέους
εἶναι πολλὰ μνημόσυνα ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς ἃς ἐκεῖνος ἐπορεύθη.
περὶ δὲ Πανδοσίαν τῆς Ἰαπυγίας ἴχνη τοῦ θεοῦ δείκνυται,
ἐφ' ἃ οὐδενὶ ἐπιβατέον.
In the neighbourhood of the Iapygian promontory, from a certain place in which, as the legends relate, the fight of Heracles with the 25giants took place, they say that ichor? Black-haired, ote > Sone flows in great abundance, and of such a nature that, owing to the oppressiveness of the smell, the sea off that place is innavigable. They state besides that in many parts of Italy many memorials of Heracles still exist on the roads by which he travelled. Near Pandosia in Iapygia 30footprints of the god are shown, on which no one must tread.
Chapter 98 (838a34–838b2)
ἔστι καὶ περὶ ἄκραν Ἰαπυγίαν
There is also in the neighbourhood of the Iapygian promontory a stone big enough to load a waggon, which ° they say was lifted up by him and transferred to this spot, and it was actually moved with one finger.
838b
1 λίθος ἁμαξιαῖος, ὃν ὑπ' ἐκείνου ἀρθέντα μετατεθῆναί φασιν,
ἀφ' ἑνὸς δὲ δακτύλου κινεῖσθαι συμβέβηκεν.
Chapter 99 (838b3–11)
Ἐν τῇ τῶν Ὀρχομενίων πόλει τῇ ἐν Βοιωτοῖς φανῆναί
φασιν ἀλώπεκα, ἣν κυνὸς διώκοντος εἰσδῦναι εἴς
5 τινα ὑπόνομον, καὶ τὸν κύνα συνεισδῦναι αὐτῇ, καὶ ὑλακτοῦντα
ἦχον μέγαν ποιεῖν ὡσανεὶ εὐρυχωρίας τινὸς ὑπαρχούσης
αὐτῷ· τοὺς δὲ κυνηγέτας ἔννοιαν λαβόντας δαιμονίαν,
ἀναρρήξαντας τὴν εἴσδυσιν συνῶσαι καὶ αὐτούς·
ἰδόντας δὲ διά τινων ὀπῶν εἰσερχόμενον ἔσω τὸ φῶς,
10 εὐσυνόπτως τὰ λοιπὰ θεάσασθαι, καὶ ἐλθόντας ἀπαγγεῖλαι
τοῖς ἄρχουσιν.
1° [ the city of the Orchomenians in Boeotia they say that a fox was seen, which, being pursued by a dog, entered into a certain subterranean passage, and that the dog entered along with her and, barking, produced a great noise, as though he 5found a wide space about him; but the huntsmen, thinking there was something marvellous there, broke open the entrance, and forced their way in as well: and that, seeing the light coming in by certain holes, they had a clear view of all that was in the cave, and went and reported it to the magistrates.
Chapter 100 (838b12–29)
Ἐν τῇ Σαρδοῖ τῇ νήσῳ κατασκευάσματά φασιν
εἶναι εἰς τὸν Ἑλληνικὸν τρόπον διακείμενα τὸν ἀρχαῖον,
ἄλλα τε πολλὰ καὶ καλὰ καὶ θόλους περισσοῖς τοῖς ῥυθμοῖς
15 κατεξεσμένους· τούτους δ' ὑπὸ Ἰολάου τοῦ Ἰφικλέους
κατασκευασθῆναι, ὅτε τοὺς Θεσπιάδας τοὺς ἐξ Ἡρακλέους
παραλαβὼν ἔπλευσεν εἰς ἐκείνους τοὺς τόπους ἐποικήσων, ὡς
κατὰ συγγένειαν αὑτῷ τὴν Ἡρακλέους προσήκοντας διὰ
τὸ πάσης τῆς πρὸς ἑσπέραν κύριον Ἡρακλέα γενέσθαι.
20 αὕτη δὲ ἡ νῆσος, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐκαλεῖτο μὲν πρότερον Ἰχνοῦσσα
διὰ τὸ ἐσχηματίσθαι τῇ περιμέτρῳ ὁμοιότατα
ἀνθρωπίνῳ ἴχνει, εὐδαίμων δὲ καὶ πάμφορος ἔμπροσθεν
λέγεται εἶναι· τὸν γὰρ Ἀρισταῖον, ὅν φασι γεωργικώτατον
εἶναι ἐπὶ τῶν ἀρχαίων, τοῦτον αὐτῶν ἄρξαι μυθολογοῦσιν,
25 ὑπὸ μεγάλων ὀρνέων ἔμπροσθεν καὶ πολλῶν κατεχομένων.
νῦν μὲν οὖν οὐκέτι φέρει τοιοῦτον οὐδὲν διὰ τὸ κυριευθεῖσαν
ὑπὸ Καρχηδονίων ἐκκοπῆναι πάντας τοὺς χρησίμους
εἰς προσφορὰν καρπούς, καὶ θάνατον τὴν ζημίαν τοῖς ἐγχωρίοις
τετάχθαι, ἐάν τις τῶν τοιούτων τι ἀναφυτεύῃ.
10In the island of Sardinia they say there are many beautiful buildings constructed in the ancient Greek style, and, amongst others, domes carved in remarkable pro portions. It is said that these were built by Iolaus, son of Iphicles, when he, having taken with him the Thespiadae, the sons of Heracles, 15sailed to those parts with the intention of settling there, considering that they belonged to him through his relationship with Heracles, because Heracles 2° was lord of all the western land. This island, as it appears, was formerly called Ichnussa, because it was shaped in its outline very similarly 20to a human footstep.” It is stated to have been previously fertile and productive; for the legend states that Aristaeus, whom they assert to have been most skilful in agriculture among the ancients, ruled over these parts, which were formerly occupied by many large birds. At the present day, however, 25it is no longer fertile, because when ruled by the Carthaginians it had all its fruits that were useful for food destroyed, and death was fixed as the penalty for the inhabitants if any one should plant again anything of the kind.
Chapter 101 (838b30–839a11)
30 Ἐν μιᾷ τῶν ἑπτὰ νήσων τῶν Αἰόλου καλουμένων, ἣ
καλεῖται Λιπάρα, τάφον εἶναι μυθολογοῦσι, περὶ οὗ καὶ
ἄλλα μὲν πολλὰ καὶ τερατώδη λέγουσι, τοῦτο δ' ὅτι οὐκ
ἀσφαλές ἐστι προσελθεῖν πρὸς ἐκεῖνον τὸν τόπον τῆς νυκτός,
συμφωνοῦσιν· ἐξακούεσθαι γὰρ τυμπάνων καὶ κυμβάλων
In one of the seven! so-called islands of Aeolus, which bears the name 30of Lipara, the legend goes that there is a tomb, about which they tell many other portentous stories, and agree in asserting that it is unsafe to approach ° that place at night; for from it are distinctly heard the sound of drums and cymbals,?
839a
1 ἦχον γέλωτά τε μετὰ θορύβου καὶ κροτάλων
ἐναργῶς. λέγουσι δέ τι τερατωδέστερον γεγονέναι περὶ τὸ
σπήλαιον· πρὸ ἡμέρας γὰρ ἐγκοιμηθῆναί τινα ἐν αὐτῷ
οἰνωμένον, καὶ τοῦτον ὑπὸ τῶν οἰκετῶν ζητούμενον ἐφ'
5 ἡμέρας τρεῖς διατελέσαι, τῇ δὲ τετάρτῃ εὑρεθέντα ὡς νεκρὸν
ἀποκομισθῆναι ὑπὸ τῶν οἰκείων εἰς τὸν ἴδιον τάφον,
καὶ τῶν νομιζομένων τυχόντα πάντων ἐξαίφνης ἀναστῆναι,
καὶ διηγεῖσθαι τὰ καθ' ἑαυτὸν συμβεβηκότα. τοῦτο μὲν
οὖν ἡμῖν φαίνεται μυθωδέστερον· ὅμως μέντοι ἔδει μὴ παραλιπεῖν
10 ἀμνημόνευτον αὐτό, τῶν περὶ τὸν τόπον ἐκεῖνον
τὴν ἀναγραφὴν ποιούμενον.
1and laughter, along with uproar and the rattle of castanets. But they state that a still more prodigious event occurred with regard to the cave; for a certain man, under the influence of wine, fell asleep in: it before daylight, and continued 5to be sought for by his servants for three days; but on the fourth, being found apparently dead, he was conveyed by his servants to his own tomb, and after obtaining all the usual rites, he suddenly rose up, and related all that had befallen him, i This story seems to me somewhat fabulous, yet it was ro 10necessary for me not to leave it unmentioned, while giving a record of circumstances connected with that place. }
Chapter 102 (839a12–25)
Περὶ τὴν Κύμην τὴν ἐν Ἰταλίᾳ λίμνη ἐστὶν ἡ προσαγορευομένη
ἄορνος, αὐτὴ μέν, ὡς ἔοικεν, οὐκ ἔχουσά
τι θαυμαστόν· περικεῖσθαι γὰρ λέγουσι περὶ αὐτὴν λόφους
15 κύκλῳ, τὸ ὕψος οὐκ ἐλάσσους τριῶν σταδίων, καὶ αὐτὴν
εἶναι τῷ σχήματι κυκλοτερῆ, τὸ βάθος ἔχουσαν ἀνυπέρβλητον.
ἐκεῖνο δὲ θαυμάσιον φαίνεται· ὑπερκειμένων γὰρ
αὐτῇ πυκνῶν δένδρων, καί τινων ἐν αὐτῇ κατακεκλιμένων,
οὐδὲν ἔστιν ἰδεῖν φύλλον ἐπὶ τοῦ ὕδατος ἐφεστηκός, ἀλλ'
20 οὕτω καθαρώτατόν ἐστι τὸ ὕδωρ ὥστε τοὺς θεωμένους θαυμάζειν.
περὶ δὲ τὴν ἀπέχουσαν ἤπειρον αὐτῆς οὐ πολὺ
θερμὸν ὕδωρ πολλαχόθεν ἐκπίπτει, καὶ ὁ τόπος ἅπας καλεῖται
Πυριφλεγέθων. ὅτι δὲ οὐδὲν διίπταται ὄρνεον αὐτήν,
ψεῦδος· οἱ γὰρ παραγενόμενοι λέγουσι πλῆθός τι κύκνων
25 ἐν αὐτῇ γίνεσθαι.
Near Cumae in Italy there is a lake called Avernus,* containing in itself, as it seems, nothing wonderful; for they } say that hills lie round about it not less than three stadia in height; 15that it is itself circular in form and of unsur passable depth. But this is what seems marvellous: while trees stand thickly above it, and some lean over it, one Cannot see a single leaf floating upon the water, while the water is so very pure that those who behold it wonder. On the mainland not far distant 20from it hot water springs forth from many parts, and all the place is called Pyriphlegethon.* But to say that no bird flies over it is a lie; for those who have been there maintain that there is a large number of swans in it.
Chapter 103 (839a26–33)
Φασὶ τὰς Σειρηνούσας νήσους κεῖσθαι μὲν ἐν τῇ Ἰταλίᾳ
περὶ τὸν πορθμὸν ἐπ' αὐτῆς τῆς ἄκρας, ὃς κεῖται
πρὸ τοῦ προπεπτωκότος τόπου καὶ διαλαμβάνοντος τοῖς
κόλποις τόν τε περιέχοντα τὴν Κύμην καὶ τὸν διειληφότα
30 τὴν Ποσειδωνίαν καλουμένην· ἐν ᾧ καὶ νεὼς αὐτῶν ἵδρυται,
καὶ τιμῶνται καθ' ὑπερβολὴν ὑπὸ τῶν περιοίκων θυσίαις
ἐπιμελῶς· ὧν καὶ τὰ ὀνόματα μνημονεύοντες καλοῦσι τὴν
μὲν Παρθενόπην, τὴν δὲ Λευκωσίαν, τὴν δὲ τρίτην Λίγειαν.
They say that the Siren islands are situated in Italy at the point of the 25headland in the strait, which lies before the promontory® separating the two bays,® i.e. the one a surrounding Cumae and the one which cuts off from it the city called Posidonia; on which promontory also a temple of the Sirens has been built, and they are honoured exceedingly by the neighbouring peoples with 30diligent sacrifices, and they, making mention of their names, call one Parthenope, another Leucosia, and the third Ligeia.
Chapter 104 (839a34–839b8)
Λέγεται δὲ μεταξὺ τῆς Μεντορικῆς καὶ τῆς Ἰστριανῆς
It is stated that between the Mentoric district and that of Istria there is a mountain named Delphium with a high crest.
839b
1 ὄρος τι εἶναι τὸ καλούμενον Δέλφιον, ἔχον λόφον ὑψηλόν.
ἐπὶ τοῦτον τὸν λόφον ὅταν ἀναβαίνωσιν οἱ Μέντορες οἱ ἐπὶ
τοῦ Ἀδρίου οἰκοῦντες, ἀποθεωροῦσιν, ὡς ἔοικε, τὰ εἰς τὸν Πόντον
εἰσπλέοντα πλοῖα. εἶναι δὲ καί τινα τόπον ἐν τοῖς
5 ἀνὰ μέσον διαστήμασιν, εἰς ὃν ἀγορᾶς κοινῆς γινομένης
πωλεῖσθαι παρὰ μὲν τῶν ἐκ τοῦ Πόντου ἐμπόρων ἀναβαινόντων
τὰ Λέσβια καὶ Χῖα καὶ Θάσια, παρὰ δὲ τῶν ἐκ
τοῦ Ἀδρίου τοὺς Κερκυραϊκοὺς ἀμφορεῖς.
1° When the Mentores, who dwell near the Adriatic, ascend this crest they descry, as it appears, the ships sailing into the Pontus?: there is also a spot, half-way between, at which when a common market is held, Lesbian, Chian, and Thasian wares are sold 5by the merchants coming up from the Pontus, and Corcyraean jars by the merchants from the Adriatic.
Chapter 105 (839b9–840a5)
Φασὶ δὲ καὶ τὸν Ἴστρον ῥέοντα ἐκ τῶν Ἑρκυνίων καλουμένων
10 δρυμῶν σχίζεσθαι, καὶ τῇ μὲν εἰς τὸν Πόντον
ῥεῖν, τῇ δὲ εἰς τὸν Ἀδρίαν ἐκβάλλειν. σημεῖον δὲ οὐ μόνον
ἐν τοῖς νῦν καιροῖς ἑωράκαμεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἀρχαίων
μᾶλλον, οἷον τὰ ἐκεῖ ἄπλωτα εἶναι· καὶ γὰρ Ἰάσονα τὸν
μὲν εἴσπλουν κατὰ Κυανέας, τὸν δὲ ἐκ τοῦ Πόντου ἔκπλουν
15 κατὰ τὸν Ἴστρον ποιήσασθαί φασι· καὶ φέρουσιν ἄλλα τε
τεκμήρια οὐκ ὀλίγα, καὶ κατὰ μὲν τὴν χώραν βωμοὺς
ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἰάσονος ἀνακειμένους δεικνύουσιν, ἐν δὲ μιᾷ τῶν
νήσων τῶν ἐν τῷ Ἀδρίᾳ ἱερὸν Ἀρτέμιδος ὑπὸ Μηδείας ἱδρυμένον.
ἔτι δὲ λέγουσιν ὡς οὐκ ἂν παρέπλευσε τὰς Πλαγκτὰς
20 καλουμένας, εἰ μὴ ἐκεῖθεν ἀπέπλει. καὶ ἐν τῇ Αἰθαλείᾳ
δὲ νήσῳ, τῇ κειμένῃ ἐν τῷ Τυρρηνικῷ πελάγει, ἄλλα
τε δεικνύουσι μνημεῖα τῶν ἀριστέων καὶ τὸ ἐπὶ τῶν ψήφων
δὲ λεγόμενον· παρὰ γὰρ τὸν αἰγιαλὸν ψήφους φασὶν εἶναι
ποικίλας, ταύτας δ' οἱ Ἕλληνες οἱ τὴν νῆσον οἰκοῦντες
25 λέγουσι τὴν χροιὰν λαβεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν στλεγγισμάτων ὧν ἐποιοῦντο
ἀλειφόμενοι· ἀπὸ ἐκείνων γὰρ τῶν χρόνων οὔτε πρότερον
ἑωρᾶσθαι μυθολογοῦσι τοιαύτας ψήφους οὔθ' ὕστερον
ἐπιγενομένας. ἔτι δὲ τούτων φανερώτερα σημεῖα λέγουσιν,
ὅτι οὐ διὰ τῶν Συμπληγάδων ἐγένετο ὁ ἔκπλους, αὐτῷ τῷ
30 ποιητῇ ἐν ἐκείνοις τοῖς τόποις μάρτυρι χρώμενοι. τὴν γὰρ
δυσχέρειαν τοῦ κινδύνου ἐμφανίζοντα λέγειν ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι
παραπλεῦσαι τὸν τόπον,
ἀλλά θ' ὁμοῦ πίνακάς τε νεῶν καὶ σώματα φωτῶν
κύμαθ' ἁλὸς φορέουσι πυρός τ' ὀλοοῖο θύελλαι.
Men say that the Ister, flowing from what are called the Hercynian woods, divides, and in one direction flows into the Pontus, and in the other discharges its waters into the Adriatic. And we have seen a proof 10not only in the present times, but also more fully in antiquity, that the waters there are not” innavigable; for they say that Jason sailed into the Pontus by the ‘ Dark Rocks’,’ while he sailed out of it by the Ister; and for this, besides alleging not a few other evidences, they point out altars set up by Jason in 15the country, and in one of the islands in the Adriatic a costly temple of Artemis erected by Medea. Moreover they affirm that Jason could not have sailed past the ‘ Wander ing Islands’, if he were not sailing away from that quarter. And moreover in the island of Aethaleia,* which lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea, they 20point to other memorials of the chiefs of the Argonautic Expedition, and also to what is said respecting the pebbles; for they say that along the shore there are pebbles of various colours; and the Greeks who inhabit the island say that they received their colour from the oil and dirt which the heroes scraped off, 25while anointing themselves; for, according to the legend, neither before these times were such pebbles seen nor afterwards had any such been found. Moreover they mention still Symplegades. 4 Elba. clearer proofs of this, that they did not sail out through the Symplegades, citing the poet himself as a witness in 30the case of those regions; for (say they) he,; pointing out the gravity of the danger, states that it is impossible to sail past the place 2 Planks of ships and bodies of men together are carried By the waves of the sea and storms of fire destructive.
840a
1 περὶ μὲν οὖν τὰς Κυανέας οὐ λέγεται πῦρ ἀναπέμπειν,
περὶ δὲ τὸν πορθμὸν τὸν διαλαμβάνοντα τὴν Σικελίαν, ἐφ'
ἑκάτερα κειμένων τῶν τοῦ πυρὸς ἀναφυσημάτων, καὶ τῆς
τε νήσου συνεχῶς καιομένης, καὶ τοῦ περὶ τὴν Αἴτνην ῥεύματος
5 πολλάκις τὴν χώραν ἐπιδεδραμηκότος.
1° As regards the ‘ Dark Rocks’ indeed it is not said that they send forth fire; but it happens near the strait which divides Sicily from Italy, as the eruptions of fire are found on both sides; while not only is the island continually burning, but also the 5stream of lava round Etna often spreads over the country.
Chapter 106 (840a6–14)
Ἐν Τάραντι ἐναγίζειν κατά τινας χρόνους φασὶν
Ἀτρείδαις καὶ Τυδείδαις καὶ Αἰακίδαις καὶ Λαερτιάδαις,
καὶ Ἀγαμεμνονίδαις δὲ χωρὶς θυσίαν ἐπιτελεῖν ἐν ἄλλῃ
ἡμέρᾳ ἰδίᾳ, ἐν ᾗ νόμιμον εἶναι ταῖς γυναιξὶ μὴ γεύσασθαι
10 τῶν ἐκείνοις θυομένων. ἔστι δὲ καὶ Ἀχιλλέως νεὼς παρ'
αὐτοῖς. λέγεται δὲ μετὰ τὸ παραλαβεῖν τοὺς Ταραντίνους
Ἡράκλειαν τὸν τόπον καλεῖσθαι ὃν νῦν κατοικοῦσιν, ἐν
δὲ τοῖς ἄνω χρόνοις τῶν Ἰώνων κατεχόντων Πλεῖον· ἔτι δὲ
ἐκείνων ἔμπροσθεν ὑπὸ τῶν Τρώων τῶν κατασχόντων αὐτὴν
15 Σίγειον ὠνομάσθαι.
In Tarentum they say that at certain times people offer sacrifices to the shades of the Atridae, Tydidae, Aeacidae, and Laertiadae, and besides that they celebrate a sacrifice separately to the Agamemnonidae on another special day, to on which it is unlawful for the 10women to taste the victims offered to those heroes. There is also amongst them a temple of Achilles. Now it is said that after the Tarentines had taken it, the place which they at present inhabit was called Heraclea; but in the early times, when the Ionians were in possession, it was named Pleum and at a still earlier date it 15was called Sigeum by the ‘ Trojans, who had gained possession of it.
Chapter 107 (840a15–26)
παρὰ δὲ τοῖς Συβαρίταις λέγεται
Φιλοκτήτην τιμᾶσθαι. κατοικῆσαι γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐκ Τροίας
ἀνακομισθέντα τὰ καλούμενα Μύκαλλα τῆς Κροτωνιάτιδος,
ἅ φασιν ἀπέχειν ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι σταδίων, καὶ ἀναθεῖναι
ἱστοροῦσι τὰ τόξα τὰ Ἡράκλεια αὐτὸν εἰς τὸ τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος
20 τοῦ ἁλίου. ἐκεῖθεν δέ φασι τοὺς Κροτωνιάτας κατὰ τὴν
ἐπικράτειαν ἀναθεῖναι αὐτὰ εἰς τὸ Ἀπολλώνιον τὸ παρ'
αὑτοῖς. λέγεται δὲ καὶ τελευτήσαντα ἐκεῖ κεῖσθαι αὐτὸν
παρὰ τὸν ποταμὸν τὸν Σύβαριν, βοηθήσαντα Ῥοδίοις τοῖς
μετὰ Τληπολέμου εἰς τοὺς ἐκεῖ τόπους ἀπενεχθεῖσι καὶ
25 μάχην συνάψασι πρὸς τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας τῶν βαρβάρων ἐκείνην
τὴν χώραν.
Among the Sybarites Philoctetes is said to be honoured; © for that on his return from Troy he founded in the Crotonian territory the town called Macalla,* which they say is one hundred and twenty stadia distant;° and historians relate that he dedicated the 20bow and arrows of Heracles in the temple of Apollo the sea-god:® but from thence they say that the Crotonians, during their dominion, took them, and dedicated them in the temple of Apollo in their own city. Now it is said that having died there * he lies by the river Sybaris, after he had given help to the Rhodians, who 25along with Tlepolemus had been 2; carried out of their course to those parts, and had engaged in battle with the barbarians who inhabited that country.
Chapter 108 (840a27–35)
Περὶ δὲ τὴν Ἰταλίαν τὴν καλουμένην Γαργαρίαν, ἐγγὺς
Μεταποντίου, Ἀθηνᾶς ἱερὸν εἶναί φασιν Ἑλληνίας, ἔνθα
τὰ τοῦ Ἐπειοῦ λέγουσιν ἀνακεῖσθαι ὄργανα, ἃ εἰς τὸν
30 δούρειον ἵππον ἐποίησεν, ἐκείνου τὴν ἐπωνυμίαν ἐπιθέντος.
φανταζομένην γὰρ αὐτῷ τὴν Ἀθηνᾶν κατὰ τὸν ὕπνον ἀξιοῦν
ἀναθεῖναι τὰ ὄργανα, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο βραδυτέρας τυγχάνοντα
τῆς ἀναγωγῆς εἱλεῖσθαι ἐν τῷ τόπῳ, μὴ δυνάμενον
ἐκπλεῦσαι· ὅθεν Ἑλληνίας Ἀθηνᾶς τὸ ἱερὸν προσαγορεύεσθαι.
35
In that part of Italy which is called Gargaria, close to Metapontium, they say there is a temple of Athene Heilenia, where they state that the tools of Epeus were dedicated, 30which he had prepared for the construction of the wooden horse; he having given this surname;! for Athene appeared to him in a dream and desired him to dedicate the tools; and he being therefore delayed in putting out to sea was cooped up in the place, unable to sail out: whence the temple was called that of Athene Heilenia.
Chapter 109 (840b1–17)
840b
1 Λέγεται περὶ τὸν ὀνομαζόμενον τῆς Δαυνίας τόπον
ἱερὸν εἶναι Ἀθηνᾶς Ἀχαΐας καλούμενον, ἐν ᾧ δὴ πελέκεις
χαλκοῦς καὶ ὅπλα τῶν Διομήδους ἑταίρων καὶ αὐτοῦ ἀνακεῖσθαι.
ἐν τούτῳ τῷ τόπῳ φασὶν εἶναι κύνας οἳ τοὺς ἀφικνουμένους
5 τῶν Ἑλλήνων οὐκ ἀδικοῦσιν, ἀλλὰ σαίνουσιν
ὥσπερ τοὺς συνηθεστάτους. πάντες δὲ οἱ Δαύνιοι καὶ οἱ πλησιόχωροι
αὐτοῖς μελανειμονοῦσι, καὶ ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκες,
διὰ ταύτην, ὡς ἔοικε, τὴν αἰτίαν. τὰς γὰρ Τρῳάδας τὰς
ληφθείσας αἰχμαλώτους καὶ εἰς ἐκείνους τοὺς τόπους ἀφικομένας,
10 εὐλαβηθείσας μὴ πικρᾶς δουλείας τύχωσιν ὑπὸ τῶν
ἐν ταῖς πατρίσι προϋπαρχουσῶν τοῖς Ἀχαιοῖς γυναικῶν, λέγεται
τὰς ναῦς αὐτῶν ἐμπρῆσαι, ἵν' ἅμα μὲν τὴν προςδοκωμένην
δουλείαν ἐκφύγωσιν, ἅμα δ' ὅπως μετ' ἐκείνων
μένειν ἀναγκασθέντων συναρμοσθεῖσαι κατάσχωσιν αὐτοὺς
15 ἄνδρας. πάνυ δὲ καὶ τῷ ποιητῇ καλῶς πέφρασται περὶ
αὐτῶν· ἑλκεσιπέπλους γὰρ καὶ βαθυκόλπους κἀκείνας, ὡς
ἔοικεν, ἰδεῖν ἔστιν.
19 In the district which bears the name of -Daunia, there ° is said to be a temple called that of the Achaean Athene,. in which bronze axes and the arms of Diomedes and his companions are dedicated. In this place they state that there are dogs 5which do no harm to such of the Greeks as come there, but fawn upon them, as though they were most familiar to them. Now all the Daunians and the neighbouring tribes, both men and women, wear black garments, apparently for the following reasonbecause it is said that the Trojan women, who had been 10taken to captives, and had come to those parts, fearing that they might experience hard slavery at the hands of the women who already belonged to the Achaeans in their native land, set fire to their ships, in order that they might escape from the expected slavery, and at the same time, that they, 15being united in wedlock with those men, now compelled to stay, might have them for their husbands. The poet has also very admirably described them;* for one may see those women likewise, it seems, ‘ robetrailing’ and ‘deep-bosomed ’.
Chapter 110 (840b18–24)
Ἐν δὲ τοῖς Πευκετίνοις εἶναί φασιν Ἀρτέμιδος ἱερόν,
ἐν ᾧ τὴν διωνομασμένην ἐν ἐκείνοις τοῖς τόποις χαλκῆν
20 ἕλικα ἀνακεῖσθαι λέγουσιν, ἔχουσαν ἐπίγραμμα "Διομήδης
Ἀρτέμιδι." μυθολογεῖται δ' ἐκεῖνον ἐλάφῳ περὶ τὸν τράχηλον
περιθεῖναι, τὴν δὲ περιφῦναι, καὶ τοῦτον τὸν τρόπον
εὑρισκομένην ὑπὸ Ἀγαθοκλέους ὕστερον τοῦ βασιλέως Σικελιωτῶν
εἰς τὸ τοῦ Διὸς ἱερὸν ἀνατεθῆναί φασιν.
In the country of the Peucetians they say there is a temple of Artemis, 20in which, they state, is dedicated the bronze necklace celebrated in those parts, with the lates that he put it round the neck of a stag, and that it! adhered there; and in this way having been afterwards found by Agathocles, king of the Sicilians, it was, they affirm, dedicated in the temple of 25Zeus. "
Chapter 111 (840b25–31)
25 Ἐν τῇ ἄκρᾳ τῆς Σικελίας τῇ καλουμένῃ Πελωριάδι
τοσοῦτον γίνεσθαι κρόκον, ὥστε παρὰ τισὶ μὲν τῶν ἐν
ἐκείνοις τοῖς τόποις κατοικούντων μὴ γνωρίζεσθαι Ἑλλήνων
ποῖόν τί ἐστι τὸ ἄνθος, ἐπὶ δὲ τῆς Πελωριάδος ἁμάξας
κατακομίζειν μεγάλας τοὺς βουλομένους, καὶ κατὰ τὴν
30 ἐαρινὴν ὥραν τὰς στρωμνὰς καὶ τὰς σκηνὰς ἐκ κρόκου
κατασκευάζειν.
On the promontory of Sicily, called the promontory of m Pelorus, it is stated that so much saffron grows that, while by some of the Greeks dwelling in those parts it is not known what a valuable flower it is, on the promontory of Pelorus all who wish bring home large waggon loads of it, and in 30the spring-time strew their beds and stages * with saffron.
Chapter 112 (840b32–841a8)
Φησὶν εἶναι ὁ Πολύκριτος ὁ τὰ Σικελικὰ γεγραφὼς
ἐν ἔπεσιν ἔν τινι τόπῳ τῆς μεσογείου λιμνίον τι ἔχον ὅσον
ἀσπίδος τὸ περίμετρον, τοῦτο δ' ἔχει ὕδωρ διαυγὲς μὲν
35 μικρῷ δὲ θολερώτερον. εἰς τοῦτ' οὖν ἐάν τις εἰσβῇ λούσασθαι
Polycritus, who has written the history of Sicily in verse, m states that in a certain part of the interior there is a little lake, with a circumference about that of a shield, and this contains water transparent indeed, but somewhat turbid.
841a
1 χρείαν ἔχων, αὔξεται εἰς εὖρος, ἐὰν δὲ καὶ δεύτερον,
μᾶλλον πλατύνεται· τὸ δὲ πέρας ἕως εἰς πεντήκοντα
ἀνδρῶν ὑποδοχὴν μεῖζον γενόμενον διευρύνεται. ἐπειδὰν
δὲ τοῦτον τὸν ἀριθμὸν λάβῃ, ἐκ βάθους πάλιν ἀνοιδοῦν
5 ἐκβάλλειν μετέωρα τὰ σώματα τῶν λουομένων ἔξω ἐπὶ
τὸ ἔδαφος· ὡς δ' ἂν τοῦτο γένηται, εἰς τὸ ἀρχαῖον πάλιν
σχῆμα τῆς περιμέτρου καθίσταται. οὐ μόνον δ' ἐπὶ ἀνθρώπων
τοῦτο περὶ αὐτὸ γίνεται, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐάν τι τετράπουν
εἰσβῇ, τὸ αὐτὸ πάσχει.
1° Now if any one enters this, intending to wash himself, -it increases in breadth; but if a second person enters, it grows wider still; and finally, having grown larger, it becomes wide enough for the reception of even fifty men. But whenever it has received this number, swelling 5up again from the bottom it casts the bodies of the bathers high in the air and out on the ground; but, as soon as this has occurred, it returns once more to the original form of its circumference. And not only in the case of men does this occur with regard to it, but also, if a quadruped enters, it experiences the same result.
Chapter 113 (841a9–17)
ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐπικρατείᾳ τῶν
10 Καρχηδονίων φασὶν ὄρος εἶναι ὃ καλεῖται Οὐράνιον, παντοδαπῆς
μὲν ὕλης γέμον, πολλοῖς δὲ διαπεποικιλμένον
ἄνθεσιν, ὥστε τοὺς συνεχεῖς τόπους ἐπὶ πολὺ μεταλαμβάνοντας
τῆς εὐωδίας αὐτοῦ ἡδίστην τινὰ τοῖς ὁδοιποροῦσι
προσβάλλειν τὴν ἀναπνοήν. πρὸς δὴ τοῦτον τὸν τόπον
15 κρήνην ἐλαίου φασὶν εἶναι, τὴν δὲ ὀσμὴν ἔχειν τῆς κέδρου
τοῖς ἀποπτίσμασιν ὁμοίαν. δεῖν δέ φασι τὸν προσιόντα
πρὸς αὐτὴν ἁγνὸν εἶναι, καὶ τούτου γινομένου πλεῖον ἀναβλύζειν
αὐτὴν τὸ ἔλαιον, ὥστε ἀσφαλῶς ἀρύεσθαι.
Inthe dominion 10of the Carthaginians ® they say there is a mountain which is called Uranion,® full of all kinds of wood and variegated with many flowers, so that the contiguous places over a wide extent partaking of its fragrance waft to the travellers a most agreeable odour. Near this spot they say that there is a spring of oil, and that it has a smell like 15that of cedar sawdust. But they say that the person who approaches it must be chaste, and, if this is i Ai a ni abst a + Sok Aad fe AK eae ES ee eee we ten: the case, it spouts up the oil in greater abundance, so that it can be safely drawn.
Chapter 114 (841a18–26)
φασὶ
καὶ ταύτης τῆς κρήνης πλησίον εἶναί τινα πέτραν αὐτοφυῆ,
20 μεγάλην τῷ μεγέθει. ταύτην οὖν λέγουσιν, ἐπειδὰν
μὲν ᾖ θέρος, φλόγα ἀναπέμπειν πυρός, χειμῶνος δὲ γενομένου
ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ τόπου κρουνὸν ὕδατος ἀναρραίνειν οὕτω ψυχροῦ
ὥστε χιόνι συμβαλλόμενον μηδὲν διαφέρειν. καὶ τοῦτό
φασιν οὐκ ἀπόκρυφον οὐδὲ μικρὸν χρόνον φαίνεσθαι, ἀλλὰ
25 τὸ μὲν πῦρ ἀνιέναι τὴν θερείαν ὅλην, τὸ δὲ ὕδωρ πάντα
τὸν χειμῶνα.
Men say that near this spring also there is a natural rock of great size. Now they say that when summer 20is come it sends up a flame of fire, but when winter arrives, from the same place it sends gushing up a stream of water so cold that, when compared with snow, it does not differ from it. And this, they declare, is not a secret occurrence, nor does it appear for only a short time; but it sends forth the fire throughout the whole summer, and the 25water throughout the whole winter.
Chapter 115 (841a27–841b1)
Λέγεται δὲ καὶ περὶ τὴν τῶν Σιντῶν καὶ Μαιδῶν
χώραν καλουμένην τῆς Θρᾴκης ποταμόν τινα εἶναι Πόντον
προσαγορευόμενον, ἐν ᾧ καταφέρεσθαί τινας λίθους οἳ καίονται
30 καὶ τοὐναντίον πάσχουσι τοῖς ἐκ τῶν ξύλων ἄνθραξι·
ῥιπιζόμενοι γὰρ σβέννυνται ταχέως, ὕδατι δὲ ῥαινόμενοι
ἀναλάμπουσι καὶ ἀνάπτουσι κάλλιον. παραπλησίαν δὲ
ἀσφάλτῳ, ὅταν καίωνται, καὶ πονηρὰν οὕτως ὀσμὴν καὶ
5 It is reported that in that part of Thrace which is called the country of the Sinti and Maedi, there is a certain river named Pontus, in which are carried down certain stones which burn, and are of a nature opposed to that of charcoal from wood; for while fanned they are quickly extinguished, but when sprinkled 30with water they blaze up and kindle better. Now, when they are burning, they have a smell ° similar to that of bitumen, so bad and pungent that no creeping thing remains in the place while they are burning.
841b
1 δριμεῖαν ἔχουσιν ὥστε μηδὲν τῶν ἑρπετῶν ὑπομένειν ἐν τῷ
τόπῳ καιομένων αὐτῶν.
Chapter 116 (841b2–8)
εἶναι δέ φασι καὶ τόπον τινὰ
παρ' αὐτοῖς οὐ λίαν μικρόν, ἀλλ' ὡς ἂν εἴκοσί που σταδίων,
ὃς φέρει κριθὰς αἷς οἱ μὲν ἄνθρωποι χρῶνται, οἱ δ' ἵπποι
5 καὶ βόες οὐκ ἐθέλουσιν αὐτὰς ἐσθίειν, οὐδ' ἄλλο οὐδέν. ἀλλ'
οὐδὲ τῶν ὑῶν οὐδὲ τῶν κυνῶν οὐδεμία τολμᾷ γεύσασθαι
τῆς κόπρου τῶν ἀνθρώπων, οἵτινες ἂν ἐκ τῶν κριθῶν τούτων
μᾶζαν φαγόντες ἢ ἄρτον ἀφοδεύωσι, τῷ θνήσκειν.
1They say, moreover, that in their country there is a certain place, not very small, about twenty stadia in extent, that bears barley, which the men indeed use; but the horses and oxen, or any other animal, will not eat it: nay, not even does any pig or dog venture 5to taste the excrement of men who after eating a cake or bread made from this barley have voided it, as death results from it.
Chapter 117 (841b9–14)
Ἐν δὲ Σκοτούσαις τῆς Θετταλίας φασὶν εἶναι κρηνίδιόν
10 τι μικρόν, ἐξ οὗ ῥεῖ τοιοῦτον ὕδωρ ὃ τὰ μὲν ἕλκη
καὶ θλάσματα ταχέως ὑγιεινὰ ποιεῖ καὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων
καὶ τῶν ὑποζυγίων, ἐὰν δέ τις ξύλον μὴ παντάπασι συντρίψας
ἀλλὰ σχίσας ἐμβάλῃ, συμφύεται καὶ πάλιν εἰς
τὸ αὐτὸ καθίσταται.
15 Περὶ
7 At Scotussae in Thessaly they say there is a little fountain from which flows water of such a kind that in a moment it heals wounds and bruises both of men and of beasts of burden;! and if any 10one throws wood into it, without having quite broken it, but having merely split it, this unites, and is restored again to its original state.
Chapter 118 (841b15–27)
δὲ τὴν Θρᾴκην τὴν ὑπὲρ Ἀμφίπολιν φασὶ γίνεσθαί
τι τερατῶδες καὶ ἄπιστον τοῖς μὴ τεθεαμένοις. ἐξιόντες
γὰρ οἱ παῖδες ἐκ τῶν κωμῶν καὶ τῶν ἐγγὺς χωρίων
ἐπὶ θήραν τῶν ὀρνιθαρίων συνθηρεύειν παραλαμβάνουσι τοὺς
ἱέρακας, καὶ τοῦτο ποιοῦσιν οὕτως. ἐπειδὰν προέλθωσιν εἰς
20 τόπον ἐπιτήδειον, καλοῦσι τοὺς ἱέρακας ὀνομαστὶ κεκραγότες·
οἱ δ' ὅταν ἀκούσωσι τῶν παίδων τὴν φωνήν, παραγινόμενοι
κατασοβοῦσι τοὺς ὄρνιθας· οἱ δὲ δεδιότες ἐκείνους καταφεύγουσιν
εἰς τοὺς θάμνους, ὅπου αὐτοὺς οἱ παῖδες ξύλοις τύπτοντες
λαμβάνουσιν. ὃ δὲ πάντων ἄν τις μάλιστα θαυμάσειεν·
25 οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἱέρακες ὅταν αὐτοί τινα λάβωσι τῶν
ὀρνίθων, καταβάλλουσι τοῖς θηρεύουσιν, οἱ δὲ παῖδες ἁπάντων
τῶν ἁλόντων μέρος τι τοῖς ἱέραξιν ἀποδόντες ἀπέρχονται.
In Thrace above Amphipolis they say that a thing happens, which is wonderful and incredible to those who have not seen it; for the boys, going forth from the villages and neighbouring 15districts to catch little birds, take the hawks to help in catching them, and they do so in this manner:When they have advanced to a suitable spot they call the hawks by name with a loud cry; and, when they hear the boys’ voice, they come and frighten away the birds; these in terror of them take refuge in the bushes, where the 20boys strike them down with sticks and capture them. But what one would be most of all surprised at is thiswhenever the hawks themselves have seized any of the birds, they throw them down to the bird-catchers, while the boys return home, after giving some portion of all their booty to the hawks.
Chapter 119 (841b28–33)
Θαυμαστὸν δέ τι καὶ παρὰ τοῖς Ἑνετοῖς φασὶ γίνεσθαι.
ἐπὶ γὰρ τὴν χώραν αὐτῶν πολλάκις κολοιῶν ἀναριθμήτους
30 μυριάδας ἐπιφέρεσθαι καὶ τὸν σῖτον αὐτῶν σπειράντων
καταναλίσκειν· οἷς τοὺς Ἑνετοὺς πρὸ τοῦ ἐφίπτασθαι
μέλλειν ἐπὶ τὰ μεθόρια τῆς γῆς προτιθέναι δῶρα, παντοδαπῶν
καρπῶν καταβάλλοντας σπέρματα, ὧν ἐὰν μὲν
Another marvel also they say 25occurs among the Heneti:! that countless myriads of jackdaws are frequently borne to their country, and eat up the corn when the people have sown it. To them the Heneti offer gifts, before the ° birds are about to fly to the borders of the land, throwing before them seeds of all kinds of fruits. Now if the jackdaws taste these 30they do not come over into their country, and the Heneti know that they will be in peace; but, if they do not taste them, the people thereupon expect an attack to be made upon them by their enemies.
Chapter 120 (842a1–10)
842a
1 γεύσωνται οἱ κολοιοί, οὐχ ὑπερβαίνουσιν ἐπὶ τὴν χώραν
αὐτῶν, ἀλλ' οἴδασιν οἱ Ἑνετοὶ ὅτι ἔσονται ἐν εἰρήνῃ· ἐὰν
δὲ μὴ γεύσωνται, ὡσεὶ πολεμίων ἔφοδον αὑτοῖς γινομένην
οὕτω προσδοκῶσιν.
5 Ἐν δὲ τῇ Χαλκιδικῇ τῇ ἐπὶ Θρᾴκης πλησίον Ὀλύνθου
φασὶν εἶναι Κανθαρώλεθρον ὀνομαζόμενον τόπον, μικρῷ
μείζονα τὸ μέγεθος ἅλω, εἰς ὃν τῶν μὲν ἄλλων ζῴων
ὅταν τι ἀφίκηται, πάλιν ἀπέρχεται, τῶν δὲ κανθάρων τῶν
ἐλθόντων οὐδείς, ἀλλὰ κύκλῳ περιιόντες τὸ χωρίον λιμῷ
10 τελευτῶσιν.
Ἐν
1In the Thracian Chalcidice,? near Olynthus, they say there is a place called Cantharolethros,® a little larger in size than a threshing-floor; 5and that when any other living creature reaches the spot it departs again; but none of the beetles that come there do so; but they going round and round the place die from 10hunger.
Chapter 121 (842a11–14)
δὲ Κύκλωψι τοῖς Θρᾳξὶ κρηνίδιόν ἐστιν ὕδωρ ἔχον
ὃ τῇ μὲν ὄψει καθαρὸν καὶ διαφανὲς καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις
ὅμοιον, ὅταν δὲ πίῃ τι ζῷον ἐξ αὐτοῦ, παραχρῆμα διαφθείρεται.
Among the Thracian Cyclopes there is a little spring containing water, which in appearance indeed is pure, transparent, and like all others; but, when an animal drinks 15of it, straightway it perishes.
Chapter 122 (842a15–35)
15 Φασὶ δὲ καὶ ἐν τῇ Κραστωνίᾳ παρὰ τὴν Βισαλτῶν
χώραν τοὺς ἁλισκομένους λαγὼς δύο ἥπατα ἔχειν, καὶ
τόπον τινὰ εἶναι ὅσον πλεθριαῖον, εἰς ὃν ὅ τι ἂν εἰσέλθῃ
ζῷον ἀποθνήσκει. ἔστι δὲ καὶ ἄλλο αὐτόθι ἱερὸν Διονύσου
μέγα καὶ καλόν, ἐν ᾧ τῆς ἑορτῆς καὶ τῆς θυσίας οὔσης
20 λέγεται, ὅταν μὲν ὁ θεὸς εὐετηρίαν μέλλῃ ποιεῖν, ἐπιφαίνεσθαι
μέγα σέλας πυρός, καὶ τοῦτο πάντας ὁρᾶν τοὺς
περὶ τὸ τέμενος διατρίβοντας, ὅταν δ' ἀκαρπίαν, μὴ φαίνεσθαι
τοῦτο τὸ φῶς, ἀλλὰ σκότος ἐπέχειν τὸν τόπον
ὥσπερ καὶ τὰς ἄλλας νύκτας.
25 Ἐν Ἤλιδι λέγουσιν εἶναί τι οἴκημα σταδίους ἀπέχον
ὀκτὼ μάλιστα τῆς πόλεως, εἰς ὃ τιθέασι τοῖς Διονυσίοις
λέβητας χαλκοῦς τρεῖς κενούς. τοῦτο δὲ ποιήσαντες παρακαλοῦσι
τῶν Ἑλλήνων τῶν ἐπιδημούντων τὸν βουλόμενον
ἐξετάσαι τὰ ἀγγεῖα καὶ τοῦ οἴκου κατασφραγίζεσθαι τὰς
30 θύρας. καὶ ἐπειδὰν μέλλωσιν ἀνοίγειν, ἐπιδείξαντες τοῖς
πολίταις καὶ τοῖς ξένοις τὰς σφραγῖδας, οὕτως ἀνοίγουσιν.
οἱ δ' εἰσελθόντες εὑρίσκουσι τοὺς μὲν λέβητας οἴνου πλήρεις,
τὸ δὲ ἔδαφος καὶ τοὺς τοίχους ὑγιεῖς, ὥστε μηδεμίαν εἶναι
ὑποψίαν λαβεῖν ὡς τέχνῃ τινὶ κατασκευάζουσιν. εἶναι δέ
35 φασι παρ' αὐτοῖς καὶ ἰκτίνους, οἳ παρὰ μὲν τῶν διὰ τῆς
Men say that in Crastonia, near.the country of the Bisaltae, the hares that are captured have two livers; and i that there is a certain place, 20about a rood in extent, into which whatever animal ‘enters dies. There is in the same place, besides, a temple of Dionysus, large and beautiful, in which, when the festival and 25sacrifice take > i.e. Beetles’ death. place, it is said that a great blaze of fire is seen when the god is going to produce a good season, and that all those who are assembled 30round the sacred enclosure see it; when, however, he intends to cause unfruitfulness, this light is not seen, but darkness extends over the place, as during the other nights.
Chapter 123 (842b1)
842b
1In Elis they relate that there is a certain building about eight furlongs distant from the city, in which, at the festival of Dionysus, they place three empty copper caldrons. Having done this, they request any of the Greeks staying in the city, who wishes, to examine the vessels, and to seal the doors of the house: 5then, when they are about to open them, they point out the seals to the citizens and strangers first of all, before they do so, They on entering find the caldrons indeed full of wine, but the floor and the walls uninjured, so that it is impossible to entertain a suspicion that they accomplish this by some trick. Moreover, they say that amongst the same people there are kites, which snatch 10the meat from those who carry it through the market- ° place, but do not touch the flesh of the sacred victims.
Chapter 124 (842b1–5)
1 ἀγορᾶς τὰ κρέα φερόντων ἁρπάζουσι, τῶν δὲ ἱεροθύτων οὐχ
ἅπτονται.
Ἐν Κορωνείᾳ δὲ τῆς Βοιωτίας λέγεται τοὺς ἀσπάλακας
τὰ ζῷα μὴ δύνασθαι ζῆν μηδ' ὀρύσσειν τὴν γῆν, τῆς
5 λοιπῆς Βοιωτίας πολὺ πλῆθος ἐχούσης.
It is said that at Coronea in Boeotia the animals called moles cannot live, or dig up the ground, while the rest of Boeotia possesses a large number of them.
Chapter 125 (842b6–9)
Ἐν Λουσοῖς δὲ τῆς Ἀρκαδίας κρήνην εἶναί τινά φασιν,
ἐν ᾗ χερσαῖοι μύες γίνονται καὶ κολυμβῶσι, τὴν δίαιταν
ἐν ἐκείνῃ ποιούμενοι. λέγεται δ' αὐτὸ τοῦτο καὶ ἐν Λαμψάκῳ
εἶναι.
At Lusiin Arcadia men say there is a certain spring in which field-mice are found and swim, passing their lives in it. The 15same thing is said to occur likewise at Lampsacus.
Chapter 126 (842b10–13)
10 Ἐν δὲ Κράννωνι τῆς Θετταλίας φασὶ δύο κόρακας
εἶναι μόνους ἐν τῇ πόλει. οὗτοι ὅταν ἐκνεοττεύσωσιν, ἑαυτοὺς
μέν, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐκτοπίζουσιν, ἑτέρους δὲ τοσούτους τῶν ἐξ
αὑτῶν γενομένων ἀπολείπουσιν.
At Crannon in Thessaly they say there are only two crows in the city. When these have hatched their young, they depart from the place, as it appears, but leave behind as many others of their offspring.
Chapter 127 (842b14–26)
Ἐν δὲ Ἀπολλωνίᾳ τῇ πλησίον κειμένῃ τῆς τῶν Ἀτλαντίνων
15 χώρας φασὶ γίγνεσθαι ἄσφαλτον ὀρυκτὴν καὶ
πίσσαν, τὸν αὐτὸν τρόπον ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἀναπηδῶσαν τοῖς
ὕδασιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρουσαν τῆς Μακεδονικῆς, μελαντέραν
δὲ καὶ παχυτέραν πεφυκέναι ἐκείνης. οὐ πόρρω δὲ τούτου
τοῦ χωρίου πῦρ ἐστὶ καιόμενον πάντα τὸν χρόνον, ὡς φασὶν
20 οἱ κατοικοῦντες περὶ τὴν χώραν ἐκείνην. ὁ δὲ καιόμενος τόπος
ἐστὶν οὐ πολύς, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἀλλ' ὅσον μάλιστα πεντακλίνου
τὸ μέγεθος. ὄζει δὲ θείου καὶ στυπτηρίας, καὶ πέφυκε
περὶ αὐτὸν πόα τε βαθεῖα, ὃ καὶ θαυμάσειεν ἄν τις
μάλιστα, καὶ δένδρα μεγάλα, οὐκ ἀπέχοντα τοῦ πυρὸς
25 πήχεις τέσσαρας. καίεται δὲ συνεχῶς περὶ Λυκίαν καὶ
Μεγάλην πόλιν τὴν ἐν Πελοποννήσῳ.
In Apollonia, which lies near to the country of the Taulantii,? they say there is bitumen obtained by digging, and pitch springing up from 20the earth, in the same manner as springs of water, in no respect differing from that of Macedonia, but that it is naturally blacker and thicker than that. And not far from this place there is a fire burning at all times, as those who dwell in the neighbourhood assert. The burning place, it appears, is not large, but about the size of the space occupied by five couches. This spot smells of 25sulphur and alum,’ and thick grass. grows around, at which one would be most surprised, and also large trees, not four cubits distant from the fire. Moreover, a fire burns constantly in Lycia and near Megalopolis in Peloponnesus.
Chapter 128 (842b27–31)
Λέγεται δὲ καὶ ἐν Ἰλλυριοῖς τίκτειν τὰ βοσκήματα
δὶς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ, καὶ τὰ πλεῖστα διδυμοτοκεῖν, καὶ πολλὰ
δὲ τρεῖς ἢ τέσσαρας ἐρίφους τίκτειν, ἔνια δὲ καὶ πέντε καὶ
30 πλείους, ἔτι δὲ γάλακτος ἀφιέναι ῥᾳδίως τρία ἡμίχοα.
λέγουσι δὲ καὶ τὰς ἀλεκτορίδας οὐχ ὥσπερ παρὰ τοῖς ἄλλοις
ἅπαξ τίκτειν, ἀλλὰ δὶς ἢ τρὶς τῆς ἡμέρας.
It is said also that among the Illyrians the cattle bring forth young twice in the year, and that most of them have twins, and that many goats bring forth three or four 30kids at a time, and some even five or more; and, besides, that they readily yield nine pints of milk. They say too that the hens do not lay merely once, as among other nations, but twice or thrice in the day.
Chapter 129 (842b32–35)
λέγεται
δὲ καὶ ἐν Παιονίᾳ τοὺς βοῦς τοὺς ἀγρίους πολὺ μεγίστους
ἁπάντων τῶν ἐν τοῖς λοιποῖς ἔθνεσι γίγνεσθαι, καὶ τὰ κέρατα
35 αὐτῶν χωρεῖν τέσσαρας χόας, ἐνίων δὲ καὶ πλεῖον.
It is said that the wild oxen in Paeonia are far-larger than those that are found in other nations, and that their horns contain twenty-four pints, and those of some of them even more.
Chapter 130 (843a1–32)
843a
1 Περὶ δὲ τοῦ πορθμοῦ τῆς Σικελίας καὶ ἄλλοι μὲν πλείους
γεγράφασι, καὶ οὗτος δέ φησι συμβαίνειν τερατῶδες. ἐκ
γὰρ τοῦ Τυρρηνικοῦ πελάγους πολλῷ ῥοίζῳ φερόμενον τὸν
κλύδωνα προσβάλλειν πρὸς ἀμφότερα τὰ ἀκρωτήρια, τὸ
5 μὲν τῆς Σικελίας, τὸ δὲ τῆς Ἰταλίας, τὸ προσαγορευόμενον
Ῥήγιον, καὶ φερόμενον ἐκ μεγάλου πελάγους εἰς στενὸν
συγκλείεσθαι, τούτου δὲ γινομένου κῦμα μετέωρον αἴρειν σὺν
πολλῷ βρόμῳ ἐπὶ πάνυ πολὺν τόπον τῆς ἄνω φορᾶς,
ὥστε τοῖς μακρὰν ἀπέχουσι σύνοπτον εἶναι τὸν μετεωρισμόν,
10 οὐχ ὅμοιον φαινόμενον θαλάσσης ἀναφορᾷ, λευκὸν δὲ
καὶ ἀφρῶδες, παραπλήσιον δὲ τοῖς συρμοῖς τοῖς γινομένοις
ἐν τοῖς ἀνυπερβλήτοις χειμῶσι. καὶ ποτὲ μὲν ἀλλήλοις
συμπίπτειν ἐπ' ἀμφοτέρων τῶν ἀκρωτηρίων τοὺς κλύδωνας,
καὶ ποιεῖν συγκλυσμὸν ἄπιστον μὲν διηγεῖσθαι,
15 ἀνυπομόνητον δὲ τῇ ὄψει θεάσασθαι· ποτὲ δὲ διισταμένους
ἐκ τῆς πρὸς ἀλλήλους συρράξεως οὕτω βαθεῖαν καὶ φρικώδη
τὴν ἄποψιν ποιεῖν τοῖς ἐξ ἀνάγκης θεωμένοις, ὥστε
πολλοὺς μὲν μὴ κρατεῖν ἑαυτῶν, ἀλλὰ πίπτειν σκοτουμένους
ὑπὸ δέους. ἐπειδὰν δὲ προσπεσὸν τὸ κῦμα πρὸς
20 ὁποτερονοῦν τῶν τόπων καὶ μετεωρισθὲν ἕως τῶν ἄκρων
πάλιν εἰς τὴν ὑπορρέουσαν θάλασσαν κατενεχθῇ, τότε δὴ
πάλιν σὺν πολλῷ μὲν βρυχηθμῷ μεγάλαις δὲ καὶ ταχείαις
δίναις τὴν θάλασσαν ἀναζεῖν καὶ μετεωρίζεσθαι
κυκωμένην ἐκ βυθῶν, παντοδαπὰς δὲ χρόας μεταλλάςσειν·
25 ποτὲ μὲν γὰρ ζοφεράν, ποτὲ δὲ κυανῆν, πολλάκις
δὲ πορφυρίζουσαν διαφαίνεσθαι. τὸν δὲ δρόμον καὶ τὸ
μῆκος αὐτῆς, ἔτι δὲ πρὸς τούτοις τὴν ἀνάρροιαν, οὐδὲ ἀκούειν
οὐδὲν ἑρπετὸν οὔθ' ὁρᾶν ὑπομένειν, φεύγειν δὲ πάντα πρὸς
τὰς ὑποκειμένας ὑπωρείας. λήγοντος δὲ τοῦ κλύδωνος τὰς
30 δίνας μετεώρους φέρεσθαι ποικίλας οὕτω τὰς ἀναστροφὰς
ποιουμένας, ὥστε δοκεῖν πρηστήρων ἤ τινων ἄλλων μεγάλων
ὄφεων σπειράματι παρομοίους τὰς κινήσεις ἀποτελεῖν.
1° Concerning the Sicilian Strait, apart from what many other writers have written, this author states that a portentous occurrence takes place: the billows, he says, being carried with a loud whistling sound from the Tyrrhenian Sea, dash against 5both the promontories, that of Sicily and that of Italy, which is called Rhegium, and being borne from a great sea are shut up in a narrow space; and when this occurs they raise the waves with a loud roar in midair to a very great height, as they dash upwards, so that the rising of the waters is visible to those 10who are far away, not resembling the rising of the sea, but white and foaming, and similar to the sweeping movements which take place in excessively violent storms: and that sometimes the waves meet each other on both the promontories a tow,.- and produce a collision! incredible in description, and unen 15durable for the eyes to behold; but at other times parting, after dashing against each other, they show an abyss,” so deep and horrible to those who are compelled to look on, that many are unable to restrain themselves, and fall, blinded with terror. But when the waves, after dashing on either of the two places 20and being carried to the tops of the promontories, have descended again into the sea flowing beneath, then again with loud bellowing and great and swift eddies the sea boils up, and is lifted on high from the depths in confusion, and assumes alternately all kinds of hues, for it appears at one time dark, at 25another blue, and oftentimes of a purplish colour: but no creeping thing can endure either to hear or to see the quick rush and length of this sea, and besides these its ebb, but all flee to the low-lying skirts of the mountains; but, when the heaving of the billows ceases, the eddies are borne on high, making 30such various twistings that they seem to produce movements resembling the coils of presteres,? or some other large snakes.
Chapter 131 (843b1–5)
843b
1 Φασὶν οἰκοδομούντων Ἀθηναίων τὸ τῆς Δήμητρος ἱερὸν
τῆς ἐν Ἐλευσῖνι περιεχομένην στήλην πέτραις εὑρεθῆναι
χαλκῆν, ἐφ' ἧς ἐπεγέγραπτο "Δηϊόπης τόδε σῆμα", ἣν οἱ
μὲν λέγουσι Μουσαίου εἶναι γυναῖκα, τινὲς δὲ Τριπτολέμου
5 μητέρα γενέσθαι.
1Men say that, while the Athenians were building the ° temple of Demeter at Eleusis, a brazen pillar was found surrounded with rocks, on which had been inscribed ‘This is the tomb of Deiope’, whom some state to have been the wife of Musaeus, others the mother of Triptolemus. 55
Chapter 132 (843b6–14)
Ἐν μιᾷ τῶν Αἰόλου προσαγορευομένων νήσων πλῆθός
τί φασι γενέσθαι φοινίκων, ὅθεν καὶ Φοινικώδη καλεῖσθαι.
οὐκ ἂν οὖν εἴη τὸ λεγόμενον ὑπὸ Καλισθένους ἀληθές,
ὅτι ἀπὸ Φοινίκων τῆς Συρίας τῶν τὴν παραλίαν οἰκούντων
10 τὸ φυτὸν ἔλαβε τὴν προσηγορίαν. ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοὺς τοὺς
Φοίνικας ὑπὸ τῶν Ἑλλήνων φασί τινες [φοίνικας] προσαγορευθῆναι
διὰ τὸ πρώτους πλέοντας τὴν θάλασσαν, ᾗ ἂν
ἀποβαίησαν, πάντας ἀποκτείνειν καὶ φονεύειν. καὶ κατὰ
γλῶσσαν δ' ἐστὶ τὴν Περραιβῶν τὸ αἱμάξαι φοινίξαι.
. In one of the islands, called the islands of Aeolus, they © say thata large number of palm-trees grow, whence it is also. called ‘ Palm-island’; therefore that could not be true which is asserted by Callisthenes, that the tree received its name from the Phoenicians, who inhabited the sea-coast to of Syria. But some state 10that the Phoenicians themselves received this name from the Greeks, because they, first of all sailing over the sea, slew and murdered all, wherever they landed. And moreover in the language of the Perrhaebians the verb ‘ phoenixai’ means ‘to stain with blood’. )
Chapter 133 (843b15–844a5)
15 Τῆς καλουμένης Αἰνιακῆς χώρας περὶ τὴν ὀνομαζομένην
Ὑπάτην λέγεται παλαιά τις στήλη εὑρεθῆναι, ἣν
οἱ Αἰνιᾶνες τίνος ἦν εἰδέναι βουλόμενοι, ἔχουσαν ἐπιγραφὴν
ἀρχαίοις γράμμασιν, ἀπέστειλαν εἰς Ἀθήνας τινὰς κομίζοντας
αὐτήν. πορευομένων δὲ διὰ τῆς Βοιωτίας, καί τισι
20 τῶν ξένων ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀποδημίας ἀνακοινουμένων, λέγεται
αὐτοὺς εἰσαχθῆναι εἰς τὸ καλούμενον Ἰσμήνιον ἐν Θήβαις·
ἐκεῖθεν γὰρ μάλιστα ἂν εὑρεθῆναι τὴν τῶν γραμμάτων
ἐπιγραφήν, λέγοντες εἶναί τινα ἀναθήματα ὁμοίους ἔχοντα
τοὺς ῥυθμοὺς τῶν γραμμάτων ἀρχαῖα. ὅθεν αὐτούς φασιν
25 ἀπὸ τῶν γνωριζομένων τὴν εὕρεσιν ποιησαμένους τῶν ἐπιζητουμένων,
ἀναγράψαι τούσδε τοὺς στίχους.
Ἡρακλέης τεμένισσε Κυθήρᾳ Φερσεφαάσσῃ,
Γηρυονείας ἀγέλας ἐλάων ἠδ' Ἐρύθειαν ἄγων.
τὰς δ' ἐδάμασσε πόθῳ Πασιφάεσσα θεά.
30 τῇδε δέ μοι τέκνῳ τῷ δ' Ἐρύθου τε δάμαρ
νυμφογενὴς Ἐρύθη· δὴ τόδ' ἔδωκα πέδον
μναμόσυνον φιλίας, φηγῷ ὕπο σκιερᾷ.
In what is called the Aeniac district, in the neighbourhood of the city 15named Hypate,' an old pillar is said to have been discovered; and the Aenianians, wishing to know to whom it belonged, as it had an inscription in ancient characters, sent certain persons to take it to Athens. But as they were proceeding through Boeotia, and were communicating to some of their guest friends the object of their journey, 20it is said that they were conducted into the so-called Ismenium? at Thebes; for there the meaning of the inscription could be most easily discovered, they said, adding that there were in that place some ancient: dedicatory offerings having the forms of the letters similar to those of the one in question: whence they say that, having 25found an explanation of the objects of their inquiry, from what was already known to them, they copied down the following lines: I Heracles offered the grove to the beaming goddess Cythera, When I had Geryon’s herds, and Erytheia for spoil; For with desire for her the goddess had vanquished my heart. But here my wife Erythe brings forth 30Erython as her offspring, Nymph-born maid Erythe, to whom I yielded the plain, Sacred memorial of love under the shade of the beech.
844a
1 τούτῳ τῷ ἐπιγράμματι ἐπεχώρησε καὶ ὁ τόπος ἐκεῖνος
Ἔρυθος καλούμενος, καὶ ὅτι ἐκεῖθεν τὰς βοῦς καὶ οὐκ ἐξ
Ἐρυθείας ἤγαγεν· οὐδὲ γὰρ ἐν τοῖς κατὰ Λιβύην καὶ
Ἰβηρίαν τόποις οὐδαμοῦ τὸ ὄνομά φασι λέγεσθαι τῆς
5 Ἐρυθείας.
1° With this inscription both that place corresponded, being called Erythus, and also the fact that it was from thence, and not from Erytheia, that he drove away the cows; for they say that nowhere either in the parts of Libya or Iberia is the name of Erytheia to be found.
Chapter 134 (844a6–16)
Τῆς δὲ Λιβύης ἐν Ἰτύκῃ τῇ καλουμένῃ, ἣ κεῖται
μέν, ὡς λέγουσιν, ἐν τῷ κόλπῳ τῷ μεταξὺ Ἑρμαίας καὶ
τῆς Ἵππου ἄκρας, ἐπέκεινα δὲ Καρχηδόνος ὡς σταδίους
διακοσίους (ἣ καὶ πρότερον κτισθῆναι λέγεται ὑπὸ Φοινίκων
10 αὐτῆς τῆς Καρχηδόνος ἔτεσι διακοσίοις ὀγδοήκοντα ἑπτά,
ὡς ἀναγέγραπται ἐν ταῖς Φοινικικαῖς ἱστορίαις), γίνεσθαί
φασιν ἅλας ὀρυκτούς, ἐπὶ τρεῖς ὀργυιὰς τὸ βάθος, τῇ ὄψει
λευκοὺς καὶ οὐ στερεοὺς ἀλλ' ὁμοίους τῷ γλισχροτάτῳ
γλοιῷ· καὶ ὅταν ἀνενεχθῶσιν εἰς τὸν ἥλιον, ἀποστερεοῦσθαι
15 καὶ γίνεσθαι ὁμοίους τῷ Παρίῳ λίθῳ. γλύφεσθαι δὲ ἐξ
αὐτῶν λέγουσι ζῴδια καὶ ἄλλα σκεύη.
In the city called Utica in Libya, which is situated, as they say, on 5the gulf between the promontory of Hermes and that of Hippos, and about two hundred furlongs beyond Carthage (now Utica also is said to have been founded by Phoenicians two hundred and eighty-seven years before Carthage itself, as is recorded in the Phoenician histories), men state that salt is obtained by digging In Thessaly. 2 j.e. temple of Ismenian Apollo. eee er ee SLAs at a depth of eighteen feet, in appearance white and 10not solid, but resembling the most sticky gum; and that when brought into the sun it hardens, and becomes like Parian marble; and they say that from it are carved figures of animals, and utensils besides.
Chapter 135 (844a17–23)
Τοὺς πρώτους τῶν Φοινίκων ἐπὶ Ταρτησσὸν πλεύσαντας
λέγεται τοσοῦτον ἀργύριον ἀντιφορτίσασθαι, ἔλαιον
καὶ ἄλλον ναυτικὸν ῥῶπον εἰσαγαγόντας, ὥστε μηκέτι
20 ἔχειν δύνασθαι μήτε ἐπιδέξασθαι τὸν ἄργυρον, ἀλλ' ἀναγκασθῆναι
ἀποπλέοντας ἐκ τῶν τόπων τά τε ἄλλα πάντα
ἀργυρᾶ οἷς ἐχρῶντο κατασκευάσασθαι, καὶ δὴ καὶ τὰς
ἀγκύρας πάσας.
It is said that those of the Phoenicians who first sailed to Tartessus,! after importing to that place oil, and other small wares of maritimae commerce, obtained for their return cargo so great a quantity of silver, that they 15were no longer able to keep or receive it, but were forced, when sailing away from those parts, to make of silver not only all the other articles which they used, but also all their ‘anchors.
Chapter 136 (844a24–34)
Λέγουσι τοὺς Φοίνικας τοὺς κατοικοῦντας τὰ Γάδειρα
25 καλούμενα, ἔξω πλέοντας Ἡρακλείων στηλῶν ἀπηλιώτῃ
ἀνέμῳ ἡμέρας τέτταρας, παραγίνεσθαι εἴς τινας τόπους
ἐρήμους, θρύου καὶ φύκους πλήρεις, οὓς ὅταν μὲν ἄμπωτις
ᾖ μὴ βαπτίζεσθαι, ὅταν δὲ πλημμύρα, κατακλύζεσθαι,
ἐφ' ὧν εὑρίσκεσθαι ὑπερβάλλον θύννων πλῆθος, καὶ τοῖς
30 μεγέθεσιν ἄπιστον καὶ τοῖς πάχεσιν, ὅταν ἐποκείλωσιν· οὓς
ταριχεύοντες καὶ συντιθέντες εἰς ἀγγεῖα διακομίζουσιν εἰς
Καρχηδόνα. ὧν Καρχηδόνιοι μόνων οὐ ποιοῦνται τὴν ἐξαγωγήν,
ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν ἀρετὴν ἣν ἔχουσι κατὰ τὴν βρῶσιν
αὐτοὶ καταναλίσκουσιν.
They say that the Phoenicians who inhabit the city called Gades, when they sail outside the Pillars of Heracles under an easterly wind for four days, arrive at certain desolate places, full of rushes and seaweed, and that these places are 20not covered with water, whenever there is an ebb, but, whenever there is a flood, they are overflowed, and in these there is found an exceeding great number of tunnies, of a size and thickness surpassing belief, when they are stranded. These they salt, pack up in vessels, and convey to Carthage. They are the only fish which the Carthaginians do not export; on account of their excellence for food, they consume them themselves.
Chapter 137 (844a35–35)
35 Ἐν τῇ Πηδασία τῆς Καρίας θυσία τῷ Διὶ συντελεῖται,
25In the district of Pedasa in Caria a sacrifice is celebrated 3; in honour of Zeus, at which they send in the procession ° a she-goat, with regard to which they say that a marvellous thing occurs; for while it proceeds from Pedasa a distance of seventy furlongs, through a dense crowd of people looking on, it is neither disturbed in its progress, nor is turned out of the way, but, being tied with a rope, advances 5 before the 30man who holds the priesthood. [And they say that its horns contain twenty-four pints, and in some cases even more. What is wonderful is that two crows stay continually about the temple of Zeus, while A Phoenician settlement, probably the Tarshish of Scripture. It has been identified with the city of Carteia on Mt. Calpe, mod. Gibraltar, a ul no other approaches the spot, and that one of them has the front part of its neck white,
Chapter 138 (844b1–22)
844b
1 ἐν ᾗ πέμπουσιν αἶγά τινα, περὶ ἣν θαυμαστόν τί φασι
γίγνεσθαι. βαδίζουσα γὰρ ἐκ Πηδάσων σταδίους ἑβδομήκοντα
δι' ὄχλου πολλοῦ τοῦ θεωροῦντος οὔτε διαταράττεται
κατὰ τὴν πορείαν οὔτ' ἐκτρέπεται τῆς ὁδοῦ, δεδεμένη δὲ
5 σχοινίῳ προπορεύεται τοῦ τὴν ἱερωσύνην ἔχοντος. θαυμαστὸν
δ' ἐστὶ καὶ τὸ δύο κόρακας εἶναι διὰ τέλους περὶ τὸ τοῦ Διὸς
ἱερόν, ἄλλον δὲ μηδένα προσιέναι πρὸς τὸν τόπον, καὶ τὸν
ἕτερον αὐτῶν ἔχειν τὸ πρόσθεν τοῦ τραχήλου λευκόν.
Ἐν Ἰλλυριοῖς δὲ τοῖς Ἀρδιαίοις καλουμένοις, παρὰ
10 τὰ μεθόρια τῶν Αὐταριατῶν κἀκείνων, φασὶν ὄρος εἶναι
μέγα, τούτου δὲ πλησίον ἄγκος, ὅθεν ὕδωρ ἀναπηδᾶν, οὐ
πᾶσαν ὥραν ἀλλὰ τοῦ ἦρος, πολὺ τῷ πλήθει, ὃ λαμβάνοντες
τὰς μὲν ἡμέρας ἐν τῷ στεγνῷ φυλάττουσι, τὰς δὲ
νύκτας εἰς τὴν αἰθρίαν τιθέασι. καὶ πέντε ἢ ἓξ ἡμέρας
15 τοῦτο ποιησάντων αὐτῶν πήγνυται τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ γίνεται
κάλλιστον ἅλας, ὃ ἕνεκεν τῶν βοσκημάτων μάλιστα διατηροῦσιν·
οὐ γὰρ εἰσάγονται πρὸς αὐτοὺς ἅλες διὰ τὸ
κατοικεῖν πόρρω αὐτοὺς θαλάσσης καὶ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἀμίκτους.
πρὸς οὖν τὰ βοσκήματα πλείστην αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχουσιν·
20 ἁλίζουσι γὰρ αὐτὰ δὶς τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ. ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ποιήσωσι
τοῦτο, συμβαίνει αὐτοῖς ἀπόλλυσθαι τὰ πλεῖστα τῶν
βοσκημάτων.
1In the country of those Illyrians who are called Ardiaei, near the boundaries separating them from the Antariates, they say there is a great mountain, and near this a valley, from which water springs 5up, not at every season, but. during the spring, in great abundance; which the people take, and keep during the day.indeed in a cellar, but during the night they set it in the open air. And, after they have done this for five or six days, the water 10congeals, and becomes the most excellent salt, which they preserve especially for the sake of the cattle: for salt is not imported to them, because they live at a distance from the sea, and have no intercourse with others. They have therefore most need 15of it for their cattle; for they supply them with salt twice in the year; but if they fail to do this, the result is that most of their cattle perish.
Chapter 139 (844b23–31)
Ἐν Ἄργει δέ φασι γίνεσθαι ἀκρίδος τι γένος ὃ καλεῖται
σκορπιομάχον. ὅταν γὰρ ἴδῃ τάχιστα σκορπίον,
25 ἀνθίσταται αὐτῷ· ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ ὁ σκορπίος ἐκείνῃ. καὶ
κύκλῳ περιιοῦσα τρίζει περὶ αὐτόν· τὸν δὲ τὸ κέντρον
ἐπαίροντα ἀντιπεριάγειν ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ τόπῳ, εἶτα κατὰ μικρὸν
ἀνιέναι τὸ κέντρον, καὶ τέλος ὅλον ἐκτείνεσθαι, τῆς
ἀκρίδος κύκλῳ τρεχούσης. τὰ τελευταῖα δὲ προσελθοῦσα
30 κατεσθίει αὐτὸν ἡ ἀκρίς. ἀγαθὸν δέ φασιν εἶναι καὶ πρὸς
τὰς πληγὰς τοῦ σκορπίου ἐπιφαγεῖν αὐτήν.
In Argos they say there is a species of locust which is called the scorpion-fighter; 1 for, as soon 20as it sees a scorpion, it attacks him, and likewise the scorpion attacks; it. It chirps as it goes round him in a circle. The other, they say, raises his sting, and turns it round against his adversary in the same spot; then he gradually lets his 25sting drop, and at last stretches himself out altogether on the ground, while the locust runs round him. At last the locust approaches and devours him. They say that it is good to eat the locust as an antidote against the scorpion’s sting.
Chapter 140 (844b32–35)
Τοὺς ἐν Νάξῳ σφῆκάς φασιν, ὅταν φάγωσι τοῦ ἔχεως
(προσφιλὴς δ' αὐτοῖς ἡ σάρξ, ὡς ἔοικεν, ἐστίν), ἐπειδάν
τινα κεντήσωσι, περιωδύνους οὕτω ποιεῖν ὥστε χαλεπωτέραν
35 φαίνεσθαι τῆς πληγῆς τῶν ἔχεων.
They say that 30the wasps in Naxos, when they have tasted the flesh of the viper (and its flesh, as it appears, is agreeable to them), and when they have afterwards stung any one, inflict so much pain, that their sting seems more dangerous than that of the vipers.
Chapter 141 (845a1–9)
845a
1 Φασὶ τὸ Σκυθικὸν φάρμακον, ᾧ ἀποβάπτουσι τοὺς
ὀϊστούς, συντίθεσθαι ἐξ ἐχίδνης. τηροῦσι δέ, ὡς ἔοικεν, οἱ
Σκύθαι τὰς ἤδη ζῳοτοκούσας, καὶ λαβόντες αὐτὰς τήκουσιν
ἡμέρας τινάς. ὅταν δὲ ἱκανῶς αὐτοῖς δοκῇ σεσῆφθαι πᾶν,
5 τὸ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου αἷμα εἰς χυτρίδιον ἐγχέοντες εἰς τὰς κοπρίας
κατορύττουσι πωμάσαντες. ὅταν δὲ καὶ τοῦτο σαπῇ,
τὸ ὑφιστάμενον ἐπάνω τοῦ αἵματος, ὃ δή ἐστιν ὑδατῶδες,
μιγνύουσι τῷ τῆς ἐχίδνης ἰχῶρι, καὶ οὕτω ποιοῦσι θανάσιμον.
1may be the wingless locust called dgipaxos or by Dioscor. ii. 57, who says that the Libyans at Leptis eat them greedily. Ot OKA Bk ca ae ell WR to have become sufficiently rotten, they pour human blood into a little pot, and, after covering it with a lid, 5bury it in a dung-hill. And when this likewise has putrefied, they mix that which settles on the top,! which is of a watery nature, with the corrupted blood of the viper, and thus make it a deadly poison.
Chapter 142 (845a10–14)
10 Ἐν Κουρίῳ τῆς Κύπρου ὄφεών τι γένος εἶναί φασιν, ὃ
τὴν δύναμιν ὁμοίαν ἔχει τῇ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ἀσπίδι, πλὴν ὅτι τοῦ
χειμῶνος ἐὰν δάκῃ, οὐδὲν ἐργάζεται, εἴτε δι' ἄλλην τινὰ
αἰτίαν, εἴτε διότι τὸ ζῷον δυσκίνητον γίνεται ὑπὸ τοῦ ψύχους
ἀποπηγνύμενον καὶ τελέως ἀδύνατον, ἐὰν μῆ θερμανθῇ.
At Curium in Cyprus they say there is a species of snake, which has similar power to that of the asp in Egypt, 10except that, if it bites in the winter, it produces no effect, whether from some other reason, or because when congealed with cold the reptile loses its power of movement, and becomes completely powerless, unless it be warmed.
Chapter 143 (845a15–16)
15 Ἐν Κέῳ φασὶν εἶναί τι γένος ἀχέρδου, ὑφ' ἧς ἐάν
τις πληγῇ τῇ ἀκάνθῃ, ἀποθνήσκει.
In Ceos they say there is a species of wild pear of such a kind that, if any one be wounded 15by its thorn, he dies.
Chapter 144 (845a17–23)
Ἐν Μυσίᾳ φασὶν ἄρκτων τι γένος εἶναι λευκόν, αἳ
ὅταν κυνηγῶνται, ἀφιᾶσι τοιαύτην πνοὴν ὥστε τῶν κυνῶν
τὰς σάρκας σήπειν, ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τῶν λοιπῶν θηρίων,
20 ἀβρώτους τε ποιεῖν. ἐὰν δέ τις καὶ βιάσηται καὶ ἐγγίσῃ,
ἀφιᾶσιν ἐκ τοῦ στόματος φλέγμα πάμπολύ τι, ὡς ἔοικεν,
ὃ προσφυσᾷ πρὸς τὰ πρόσωπα τῶν κυνῶν, ὡσαύτως δὲ
καὶ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ὥστε καὶ ἀποπνίγειν καὶ ἀποτυφλοῦν.
In Mysia they say there is a white species of bears, which, when they are hunted, emit a breath of such a kind as to rot the flesh of the dogs, and likewise of other wild beasts, and render them unfit for food. But, if any one approaches them with violence, they discharge, it appears, from 20the mouth a very great quantity of phlegm, which the animal blows upon the faces of the dogs, and of the men as well, so as to choke and blind them.
Chapter 145 (845a24–27)
Ἐν δὲ τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ ὑαινῶν τι γένος φασὶν εἶναι, ὃ
25 ἐπειδὰν προΐδῃ τι θηρίον ἢ ἀνθρώπου ἐπιβῇ ἐπὶ τὴν σκιάν,
ἀφωνίαν ἐργάζεται καὶ πῆξιν τοιαύτην ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι
κινεῖν τὸ σῶμα. τοῦτο δὲ ποιεῖν καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν κυνῶν.
In Arabia they say there is a certain kind of hyaena, which, when it sees some wild beast, before being itself seen, or steps on the shadow of a man, produces speechlessness, 25and fixes them to the spot in such a way that they cannot move their body; and it is said that they do this in the case of dogs also.
Chapter 146 (845a28–34)
Κατὰ δὲ Συρίαν εἶναί τί φασι ζῷον ὃ καλεῖται λεοντοφόνον·
ἀποθνήσκει γὰρ ὁ λέων, ὡς ἔοικεν, ὅταν αὐτοῦ
30 φάγῃ. ἑκὼν μὲν οὖν τοῦτο οὐ ποιεῖ, ἀλλὰ φεύγει τὸ ζῷον·
ὅταν δὲ συλλαβόντες αὐτὸ οἱ κυνηγέται καὶ ὀπτήσαντες
ὥσπερ ἄλφιτα λευκὰ περιπάσσωσιν ἄλλῳ ζῴῳ, γευσάμενον
ἀπόλλυσθαί φασι παραχρῆμα. κακοῖ καὶ προσουροῦν
τὸν λέοντα τοῦτο τὸ ζῷον.
In Syria they say there is an animal, which is called the lion-killer; for the lion, it seems, dies, whenever he eats any of it. He does not indeed do this willingly, but 3° 30rather flees from the animal; but when the hunters, having caught and roasted it, sprinkle it, like white meal, over some other animal, they say that the lion, after tasting it, dies on the spot. This animal injures the lion even by making water upon it.
Chapter 147 (845a35–845b3)
35 Λέγεται καὶ τοὺς γῦπας ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν μύρων ὀσμῆς
It is said also that vultures die from the smell of ° unguents,!
845b
1 ἀποθνήσκειν, ἐάν τις αὐτοὺς χρίσῃ ἢ δῷ τι μεμυρισμένον
φαγεῖν. ὡσαύτως δὲ καὶ τοὺς κανθάρους ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ῥόδων
ὀσμῆς.
1if any one anoints them, or gives them something smeared with an unguent to eat: likewise they say that beetles also die from the smell of roses.
Chapter 148 (845b4)
They say that both in Sicily and Italy the star-lizards have a deadly bite, and not like those among ourselves a weak and soft bite: 5moreover that there is a sort of mice, which flies at people, and, when it bites, causes them to die.
Chapter 149 (845b4–9)
Καὶ ἐν Σικελίᾳ δέ φασι καὶ ἐν Ἰταλίᾳ τοὺς γαλεώτας
5 θανάσιμον ἔχειν τὸ δῆγμα, καὶ οὐχ ὥσπερ τοὺς παρ'
ἡμῖν ἀσθενὲς καὶ μαλακόν. εἶναι δὲ καὶ μυῶν γένος ἐφιπτάμενον,
ὃ ὅταν δάκῃ, ἀποθνήσκειν ποιεῖ. ἐν δὲ τῇ
Μεσοποταμίᾳ τῆς Συρίας φασὶ καὶ ἐν Ἰστροῦντι ὀφείδιά τινα
γίγνεσθαι, ἃ τοὺς ἐγχωρίους οὐ δάκνει, τοὺς ξένους δὲ ἀδικεῖ
10 σφόδρα.
In Mesopotamia, a region of Syria, and at Istrus,? they say that there are certain little snakes, which do not bite the people of the country, but do great injury to strangers.
Chapter 150 (845b10–15)
περὶ δὲ τὸν Εὐφράτην καὶ τελείως φασὶ τοῦτο
γίγνεσθαι. πολλοὺς γὰρ φαίνεσθαι περὶ τὰ χείλη τοῦ ποταμοῦ
καὶ διανέοντας ἐφ' ἑκάτερα, ὥστε τῆς δείλης ἐνταῦθα
θεωρουμένους ἅμα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐπὶ θατέρου μέρους φαίνεσθαι,
καὶ τοὺς ἀναπαυομένους τῶν μὲν Σύρων μὴ δάκνειν,
15 τῶν δ' Ἑλλήνων μὴ ἀπέχεσθαι.
At the Euphrates they say that this especially happens; for that 10many are seen about the edges of the river, swimming also towards either bank; so that while seen in the evening on this side, at daybreak they appear on the other side; and that they refrain from biting such of the Syrians as are taking their repose, but do not spare the Greeks.
Chapter 151 (845b16–32)
Ἐν Θεσσαλίᾳ φασὶ τὸν ἱερὸν καλούμενον ὄφιν πάντας
ἀπολλύειν, οὐ μόνον ἐὰν δάκῃ, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐὰν θίγῃ.
διὸ καὶ ὅταν φανῇ καὶ τὴν φωνὴν ἀκούσωσι (φαίνεται δὲ
σπανίως), φεύγουσι καὶ οἱ ὄφεις καὶ οἱ ἔχεις καὶ τἆλλα
20 πάντα θηρία. τῷ δὲ μεγέθει οὐκ ἔστι μέγας ἀλλὰ μέτριος.
ἐν Τήνῳ δέ ποτέ φασιν αὐτὸν τῇ πόλει κατὰ Θετταλίαν
ἀναιρεθῆναι ὑπὸ γυναικός, γενέσθαι δὲ τὸν θάνατον τοιόνδε.
γυναῖκα κύκλον γράψασαν καὶ τὰ φάρμακα θεῖσαν εἰςβῆναι
εἰς τὸν κύκλον, αὐτὴν καὶ τὸν υἱόν, εἶτα μιμεῖσθαι
25 τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ θηρίου· τὸ δ' ἀντᾴδειν καὶ προσιέναι. ᾄδοντος
δὲ καταδαρθεῖν τὴν γυναῖκα, καὶ ἐγγυτέρω προσιόντος
μᾶλλον, ὥστε μὴ δύνασθαι κρατεῖν τοῦ ὕπνου. τὸν δ' υἱὸν
παρακαθήμενον ἐγείρειν τύπτοντα, κελευούσης ἐκείνης, καὶ
λέγειν ὅτι ἐὰν μὲν καθυπνώσῃ, ἀπολεῖται καὶ αὐτὴ καὶ
30 ἐκεῖνος, ἐὰν δὲ βιάσηται καὶ προσαγάγηται τὸ θηρίον, σωθήσονται.
ὡς δὲ προσῆλθεν ὁ ὄφις εἰς τὸν κύκλον, αὖον
εὐθὺς γενέσθαι αὐτόν.
In Thessaly they say that the snake which is called sacred destroys 15all persons, not merely if it bites, but even if it touches them; and so when it appears (but it appears rarely), and they hear its voice, both serpents and vipers, and all the other wild beasts flee. It is not large, but of a moderate size. In the city of Tenos in Thessaly they say it was once destroyed by a woman, and that its death happened 20in the following manner:The woman, having described a circle and put the charms therein, entered into the circle, herself and her son, and then imitated the hissing of the beast; it answered the sound of her voice and approached; but, while it was hissing, the woman fell asleep, and the more profoundly, the closer it drew nigh, so that she 25could not overcome the power of sleep: but her son, sitting beside her, aroused her by striking her, as she had bidden him to do, saying that, if she fell asleep, both she and he should perish, whereas if she used force, and drew the animal towards her, they Phile, p. 9, states that beetles also die from this, while Eustath. says that if smeared 30with an extract of roses they die at once. ne eel ee eee eS AD DO ORR ADIN GN Sh REIL LRAT GS AI el NN Sy > TED should be saved. But the snake, when it came up to the circle, immediately withered away.
Chapter 152 (845b33–846a5)
Λέγεται περὶ τὰ Τύανα ὕδωρ εἶναι ὁρκίου Διός (καλοῦσι
δὲ αὐτὸ Ἀσβαμαῖον), οὗ πηγὴ ἀναδίδοται πάνυ
35 ψυχρά, παφλάζει δὲ ὥσπερ οἱ λέβητες. τοῦτο εὐόρκοις
It is said that near Tyana there is water sacred to Zeus Horciosthey call it Asbamaeonwhose spring rises very cold, but boils up like caldrons.
846a
1 μὲν ἡδύ τε καὶ ἵλεων, ἐπιόρκοις δὲ παρὰ πόδας ἡ δίκη.
ἀποσκήπτει γὰρ καὶ εἰς ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ εἰς χεῖρας καὶ
εἰς πόδας, ἁλίσκονταί τε ὑδέροις καὶ φθόαις· καὶ οὐδὲ πρόσθεν
ἀπελθεῖν δυνατόν, ἀλλ' αὐτόθι ἔχονται καὶ ὀλοφύρονται
5 πρὸς τῷ ὕδατι, ὁμολογοῦντες ἃ ἐπιώρκησαν.
1This water is sweet 8467 and propitious to those who observe their oaths; but punishment follows on the heels of the perjured; for it falls upon their eyes, hands, and feet, and they are seized with dropsies and consumptions; and it is not even possible to get away beforehand, 5but they are held on the spot, and lament beside the water, confessing the perjuries they have committed.
Chapter 153 (846a6)
At Athens they say that the sacred branch of the olive tree in one day buds and increases, but quickly shrinks together again.
Chapter 154 (846a6)
When the craters in Etna once burst forth, and the lava was carried hither and thither over the land 10like a torrent, the deity honoured the race of the pious; for when they were hemmed in on all sides by the stream, because they were bearing their aged parents on their shoulders, and were trying to save them, the stream of fire, having come near to them, was cleft asunder, and turned aside one part 'of the flame in this direction, another 15in that, and preserved the young men unharmed, along with their parents.
Chapter 155 (846a6–21)
Ἀθήνησί φασι τὸν ἱερὸν τῆς ἐλαίας θαλλὸν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ
μιᾷ βλαστῆσαι καὶ πλείονα γενέσθαι, ταχὺ δὲ αὖ πάλιν
συστέλλεσθαι.
Τῶν ἐν Αἴτνῃ κρατήρων ἀναρραγέντων καὶ ἀνὰ τὴν
10 γῆν φερομένων ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα χειμάρρου δίκην, τὸ τῶν
εὐσεβῶν γένος ἐτίμησε τὸ δαιμόνιον. περικαταληφθέντων
γὰρ ὑπὸ τοῦ ῥεύματος διὰ τὸ βαστάζειν γέροντας ἐπὶ τῶν
ὤμων γονεῖς καὶ σώζειν, πλησίον αὐτῶν γενόμενον τὸ τοῦ
πυρὸς ῥεῦμα ἐξεσχίσθη, παρέτρεψέ τε τοῦ φλογμοῦ τὸ μὲν
15 ἔνθα τὸ δὲ ἔνθα, καὶ ἐτήρησεν ἀβλαβεῖς ἅμα τοῖς γονεῦσι
τοὺς νεανίσκους.
Λέγεται τὸν ἀγαλματοποιὸν Φειδίαν κατασκευάζοντα
τὴν ἐν ἀκροπόλει Ἀθηνᾶν ἐν μεσότητι ταύτης τῆς ἀσπίδος τὸ
ἑαυτοῦ πρόσωπον ἐντυπώσασθαι, καὶ συνδῆσαι τῷ ἀγάλματι
20 διά τινος ἀφανοῦς δημιουργίας, ὥστ' ἐξ ἀνάγκης, εἴ τις βούλοιτο
αὐτὸ περιαιρεῖν, τὸ σύμπαν ἄγαλμα λύειν τε καὶ συγχεῖν.
It is said that the sculptor Phidias, while constructing the Athene in the Acropolis, carved his own face in the centre of her shield, and connected it by an imperceptible artifice with the statue, so that, if any one wished to remove it, he must necessarily break up 20and destroy the whole statue.
Chapter 156 (846a22–24)
Φασὶν ὡς ἀνδριὰς ὁ τοῦ Βίτυος ἐν Ἄργει ἀπέκτεινε
[τὸν αἴτιον] τοῦ θανάτου τῷ Βίτυϊ, θεωροῦντι ἐμπεσών. ἔοικεν
οὖν οὐκ εἰκῇ τὰ τοιαῦτα γίνεσθαι.
They say that.the statue of Bitys in Argos killed the man who had caused the death of Bitys, by falling upon him while he was looking at a spectacle. It appears therefore that such events do not happen at random.®
Chapter 157 (846a25–27)
25 Φασὶ τοὺς κύνας μόνον διώκειν τὰ θηρία πρὸς τὰς
κορυφὰς τῶν Μελάνων καλουμένων ὀρῶν, ἀλλ' ἀναστρέφειν,
ὅταν ἄχρι τούτων διώκωσιν.
15] Men say that the dogs pursue the wild beasts only to i.e. who. watches over oaths.: the summits 25of the so-called Black Mountains, but turn back when they have pursued them as far as these.
Chapter 158 (846a28–30)
Ἐν τῷ Φάσιδι ποταμῷ γεννᾶσθαι ῥάβδον ὀνομαζομένην
λευκόφυλλον, ἣν οἱ ζηλότυποι τῶν ἀνδρῶν δρεπόμενοι
30 ῥίπτουσι περὶ τὸν παρθένιον θάλαμον, καὶ ἀνόθευτον
τηροῦσι τὸν γάμον.
In the river Phasis it is related that a rod called the 30 ‘ White-leaved’ grows, which jealous husbands pluck, and throw round the bridal-bed,! and thus preserve their marriage unadulterated. oe
Chapter 159 (846a31–32)
ἐν δὲ τῷ Τίγριδι γίνεσθαί φασι λίθον
μωδῶν κεκλημένον βαρβαρικῶς, τῇ χρόᾳ πάνυ λευκόν,
ὃν ἐὰν κατέχῃ τις, ὑπὸ θηρίων οὐδὲν ἀδικεῖται.
In the Tigris they say there is a stone found, 30called in the barbarian language Modon, with a very white colour, and that, if any one possesses this, he is not harmed by wild beasts.
Chapter 160 (846a33–37)
ἐν δὲ τῷ
Σκαμάνδρῳ γίνεσθαί φασι βοτάνην σίστρον καλουμένην,
35 παραπλησίαν ἐρεβίνθῳ, κόκκους δ' ἔχει σειομένους, ὅθεν τὴν
προσηγορίαν ἔλαβε· ταύτην τοὺς κατέχοντας μήτε δαιμόνιον
μήτε φαντασίαν ἡντιναοῦν φοβεῖσθαι.
In the Scamander they say a plant grows, called Sistros,? resembling chick-pea, and that it has seeds that shake, from which fact it has obtained its name: those who possess it (so it is said) fear neither 35demon nor spectre of any kind.
Chapter 161 (846a38–846b2)
Περὶ Λιβύην ἄμπελός ἐστιν ἣν καλοῦσι μαινομένην τινές,
In Libya there is a vine, which some people call mad, © ° that ripens some of its fruit, others it has like unripe grapes, and others in blossom, and this during a short time.
846b
1 ἣ τῶν καρπῶν τοὺς μὲν πεπαίνει, τοὺς δ' ὀμφακώδεις
ἔχει, τοὺς δ' ἀνθοῦντας καὶ βραχύν τινα χρόνον.
Chapter 162 (846b3–6)
Περὶ τὸ Σίπυλον ὄρος γίνεσθαί φασι λίθον παρόμοιον
κυλίνδρῳ, ὃν οἱ εὐσεβεῖς υἱοὶ ὅταν εὕρωσιν, ἐν τῷ τεμένει
5 τῆς μητρὸς τῶν θεῶν τιθέασι, καὶ οὐδέποτε χάριν ἀσεβείας
ἁμαρτάνουσιν, ἀλλ' ἀεί εἰσι φιλοπάτορες.
1On Mount Sipylus they say there is a stone like a cylinder, which, when pious sons have found it, they place sin the sacred precincts of the Mother of the Gods, and never err through impiety, but are always affectionate to their parents.
Chapter 163 (846b7–9)
Ἐν ὄρει Τηϋγέτῳ γίνεσθαι βοτάνην καλουμένην χαρισίαν,
ἣν γυναῖκες ἔαρος ἀρχομένου τοῖς τραχήλοις περιάπτουσι,
καὶ ὑπὸ τῶν ἀνδρῶν συμπαθέστερον ἐρῶνται.
On 5Mount Taygetus (it is said) there is a plant called Charisia,®? which women in the beginning of spring fasten round their necks, and are loved more passionately by their husbands.
Chapter 164 (846b10–17)
10 Ὄθρυς ὄρος ἐστὶ Θετταλίας, ὃ φέρει ὄφεις τοὺς λεγομένους
σῆπας, οἳ οὐκ ἔχουσι μίαν χροιάν, ἀλλ' ἀεὶ ὁμοιοῦνται
τῷ χώρῳ ἐν ᾧ οἰκοῦσι. τινὲς δὲ αὐτῶν ὅμοιον ἔχουσι τὸ
χρῶμα τοῖς κόχλοις τῆς γῆς. ἄλλοις δὲ χλοάζουσά ἐστιν
ἡ φολίς. ὅσοι δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν ψαμάθοις διατρίβουσι, ταύταις
15 ἐξομοιοῦνται κατὰ τὸ χρῶμα. δάκνοντες δὲ ἐμποιοῦσι δίψος.
ἔστι δὲ αὐτῶν τὸ δῆγμα οὐ τραχὺ καὶ ἔμπυρον,
ἀλλὰ κακόηθες.
ro Othrys is a mountain of Thessaly, which produces serpents that are called Sepes,* which have not a single colour, but 10always resemble the place in which they live. Some of them have a colour like that of land-snails, while the scales of others are of a bright green; but all of them that dwell in the sands become like these in colour. When they bite they produce thirst. Now their bite is not rough and fiery, but 15malicious. Jit. maiden bed-chamber. 2 i.e. shaking-plant.: 6. love-plant. * i.e. putrefaction-serpents.
Chapter 165 (846b18–21)
Τοῦ περκνοῦ ἔχεως τῇ ἐχίδνῃ συγγινομένου, ἡ ἔχιδνα
ἐν τῇ συνουσίᾳ τὴν κεφαλὴν ἀποκόπτει. διὰ τοῦτο καὶ τὰ
20 τέκνα, ὥσπερ τὸν θάνατον τοῦ πατρὸς μετερχόμενα, τὴν
γαστέρα τῆς μητρὸς διαρρήγνυσιν.
When the dark-coloured adder copulates with the female, the female during the copulation bites off the head of the male; therefore also her young ones, as though avenging their father’s death, burst 20through their mother’s belly.
Chapter 166 (846b22–24)
Ἐν τῷ Νείλῳ ποταμῷ γεννᾶσθαι λίθον φασὶ κυάμῳ
παρόμοιον, ὃν ἂν κύνες ἴδωσιν, οὐχ ὑλακτοῦσι. συντελεῖ δὲ
καὶ τοῖς δαίμονί τινι γενομένοις κατόχοις· ἅμα γὰρ τῷ
25 προστεθῆναι ταῖς ῥισὶν ἀπέρχεται τὸ δαιμόνιον.
In the river Nile they say that a stone like a bean is produced, and that, if dogs see it, they do not bark. It is beneficial also to those who are possessed by some demon; for, as soon as it is applied to the nostrils, the demon departs.
Chapter 167 (846b25–28)
ἐν δὲ τῷ
Μαιάνδρῳ ποταμῷ τῆς Ἀσίας λίθον φασὶ σώφρονα καλούμενον
κατ' ἀντίφρασιν· ὃν ἐάν τις εἴς τινος ἐμβάλῃ κόλπον,
ἐμμανὴς γίνεται καὶ φονεύει τινὰ τῶν συγγενῶν.
In the Maeander, a river of Asia, 25they say that a stone is found, called by contradiction ‘sound-minded’; for if one throws it into any one’s bosom he becomes mad, and kills some one of his relations.
Chapter 168 (846b29–32)
Ῥῆνος καὶ Ἴστρος οἱ ποταμοὶ ὑπ' ἄρκτον ῥέουσιν, ὁ
30 μὲν Γερμανοὺς ὁ δὲ Παίονας παραμείβων· καὶ θέρους μὲν
ναυσίπορον ἔχουσι τὸ ῥεῖθρον, τοῦ δὲ χειμῶνος παγέντες ὑπὸ
κρύους ἐν πεδίου σχήματι καθιππεύονται.
The rivers Rhine and Danube flow towards the north, one passing the Germans, the other the Paeonians. In the summer they have a navigable 30stream, but in the winter they are congealed from the cold, and form a plain over which men ride.
Chapter 169 (846b33–35)
Περὶ τὴν Θούριον πόλιν δύο ποταμούς φασιν εἶναι, Σύβαριν
καὶ Κρᾶθιν. ὁ μὲν οὖν Σύβαρις τοὺς πίνοντας ἀπ'
35 αὐτοῦ πτυρτικοὺς εἶναι ποιεῖ, ὁ δὲ Κρᾶθις τοὺς ἀνθρώπους
ξανθότριχας λουομένους.
Near the city of Thurium they say there are two rivers, the Sybaris and the Crathis. Now the Sybaris causes the horses that drink of it to be timorous, while the Crathis makes men yellow-haired when they 35bathe in it.
Chapter 170 (846b36–38)
ἐν δὲ Εὐβοίᾳ δύο ποταμοὺς εἶναι,
ὧν ἀφ' οὗ μὲν τὰ πίνοντα πρόβατα λευκὰ γίνονται· ὃς ὀνομάζεται
Κέρβης· ὁ δὲ Νηλεύς, ὃς μέλανα ποιεῖ.
6©In Euboea there are said to be two rivers; the sheep that drink from one of them become white; it is called Cerbes: the other is the Neleus, which makes them black.
Chapter 171 (847a1–2)
847a
1 Παρὰ Λυκόρμᾳ ποταμῷ γεννᾶσθαι βοτάνην λόγχῃ
παρόμοιον, συντελοῦσαν πρὸς ἀμβλυωπίαν ἄριστα.
1Near the river Lycormas’ it is said that a plant * grows, 8477 which is like a lance, and is most beneficial in the case of dim sight.
Chapter 172 (847a3–4)
Τὴν ἐν Συρακούσαις τῆς Σικελίας πηγὴν Ἀρέθουσαν
διὰ πενταετηρίδος κινεῖσθαι λέγουσιν.
They say that the fountain of Arethusa at Syracuse in Sicily is set in motion every five years.
Chapter 173 (847a5–6)
5 Ἐν ὄρει Βερεκυνθίῳ γεννᾶσθαι λίθον καλούμενον μάχαιραν,
ὃν ἐὰν εὕρῃ τις, τῶν μυστηρίων τῆς Ἑκάτης ἐπιτελουμένων
ἐμμανὴς γίνεται, ὡς Εὔδοξός φησιν.
On Mount Berecynthius it is said that a stone is 5pro duced called ‘the Sword’, and if any one finds it, while the mysteries of Hecate are being celebrated, he becomes mad, as Eudoxus affirms.
Chapter 174 (847a7–10)
ἐν ὄρει
δὲ Τμώλῳ γεννᾶσθαι λίθον παρόμοιον κισσήρει, ὃς τετράκις
τῆς ἡμέρας ἀλλάσσει τὴν χρόαν· βλέπεσθαι δὲ ὑπὸ παρθένων
10 τῶν μὴ τῷ χρόνῳ φρονήσεως μετεχουσῶν.
On Mount Tmolus it is said that a stone is produced like pumice-stone, which changes its colour four times oin the day; and that it is only seen by maidens who 7 have not yet attained to years of discretion.
Chapter 175 (847b1–2)
847b
1 Ἐν Ἀρτέμιδος Ὀρθωσίας βωμῷ ταῦρον ἵστασθαι χρύσειον,
ὃς κυνηγῶν εἰσελθόντων φωνὴν ἐπαφίησιν.
1° On the altar of the Orthosian® Artemis it is said that a golden bull stands, which bellows when hunters enter } the temple.
Chapter 176 (847b3–4)
Ἐν Αἰτωλοῖς φασὶν ὁρᾶν τοὺς ἀσπάλακας ἀμυδρῶς,
καὶ οὐδὲ σιτεῖσθαι γῆν ἀλλ' ἀκρίδας.
Among the Aetolians it is said that moles see, but only dimly, and do not feed on the earth, but on locusts.
Chapter 177 (847b5–6)
5 Τοὺς ἐλέφαντάς φασι κύειν ἔτη δύο, οἱ δὲ μῆνας
ὀκτωκαίδεκα· ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐκτέξει δυστοκεῖν.
They say that elephants are pregnant during the space i of two years, while others 5say during eighteen months; and that in bringing forth they suffer hard labour. /
Chapter 178 (847b7–10)
Δημάρατον Τιμαίου τοῦ Λοκροῦ ἀκουστὴν νοσήσαντα
ἄφωνόν φασιν ἐπὶ δέκα γενέσθαι ἡμέρας· ἐν δὲ τῇ ἑνδεκάτῃ
ἀνανήψας βραδέως ἐκ τῆς παρακοπῆς ἔφησεν ἐκεῖνον
10 τὸν χρόνον ἥδιστα αὑτῷ βεβιῶσθαι.
They say that Demaratus, the pupil of the Locrian Timaeus, having fallen sick, was dumb for ten days; but i on the eleventh, having slowly come to his senses after. his delirium, he declared that during that time he had lived most agreeably. A mountain of Lydia, mod. Boz-dagh, from which the Pactolus rises.