68 THALIA.

Cassiteridcs, from which we are said to have our tin.
The name Eridanus is certainly not barbarous, it is
of Greek derivation, and, as I should conceive, intro­
duced by one of our poets. I have endeavoured, but
without success, to meet with some one who from
ocular observation might describe to me the sea which
lies in that part of Europe. It is nevertheless certain,
that both our tin and our amber are brought from
those extreme regions.

CXVI. It is certain that in the north of Europe
there is a prodigious quantity of gold; but how it is
produced I am not able to tell with certainty. It is
affirmed indeed, that the Arimaspi, a people who have
but one eye, take this gold away violently from the
griffins; but I can never persuade myself that there
are any men who, having but one eye, enjoy in all
other respects the nature and qualities of other human
beings. Thus much seems unquestionable, that these
extreme parts of the world contain within themselves
things the most beautiful as well as rare.

CXVII. There is in Asia a large plain, surrounded
on every part by a ridge of hills, through which there
are five different apertures. It formerly belonged to
the Chorasmians, who inhabit those hills in common
with the Hyrcanians, Parthians, Sarangensians, and
Thomaneans; but after the subjection of these na­
tions to Persia, it became the property of the great
king. From these surrounding hills there issues a
large river called Aces: this formerly, being conduct­
ed through the. openings of the mountain, watered
the several countries above mentioned. But when
these regions came under the power of the Persians,
the apertures were closed, and gates placed at each
of them to prevent the passage of the river. Thus
on the inner side, from the waters having no issue,
this plain became a sea, and the neighbouring nations,
deprived of their accustomed resource, were reduced
to the extremes! distress from the want of water. In
winter they, in common with other nations, had the
benefit of the rains, but in summer, after sowing their
millet and sesamum, they required water, but in vain.
Not being assisted in their distress, the inhabitants of