[33]Like others of the ancient writers, Pliny falls into the error of considering Atlas, not as an extensive chain of mountains, but as an isolated mountain, surrounded by sands. With reference to its height, the whole range declines considerably from west to east; the highest summits in Morocco reaching to nearly 13,000 feet, in Tunis not 5000.
[34]It is now universally agreed among the learned that the island of Taprobana is the modern Ceylon.
[35]A general term, probably, for the great peninsula of India, below the Ganges.
[36]It is probable that the passage here referred to is from Cape Comorin to Ceylon, and not from Cape Ramanan Cor, the nearest part of the continent.
[37]Possibly the word “Radijah,” or “Rajah,” denoting the rank which he held, may have been here taken by Pliny for his name.
[38]Probably Cape Ramanan Cor, which is in reality the nearest point to the coast of Ceylon.
[40]The Romans evidently misunderstood their language, for, as Gosselin remarks, it is quite impossible that the Pleiades should be a constellation unknown at that time to the people of Ceylon; but, on the other hand, it would be equally true that the Great Bear was concealed from them.
[41]This also originated in misapprehension of their language on the part of the Romans.
[42]In Ceylon seven months in the year the shadows fell to the north, and during the remaining five to the south.
[43]The Seræ here spoken of must not be taken for the Seres or supposed Chinese.
[44]Or “Bacchus.” This means that he wears a long robe with a train; much like the dress, in fact, which was worn on the stage by tragic actors.
[45]We may hence conclude, that the practice of swathing young infants in tight bandages prevailed at Rome, in the time of Pliny, as it still does in France.
[46]This reminds us of the terms of the riddle proposed to Œdipus by the Sphinx: “What being is that, which, with four feet, has two feet and three feet, and only one voice; but its feet vary, and when it has most it is weakest?” to which he answered, That it is man, who is a quadruped in childhood, two-footed in manhood, and moving with the aid of a staff in old age.
[47]This is contrary to facts now well known.
[48]It was this feeling that prompted the common saying among the ancients, “Homo homini lupus”—“Man to man is a wolf;” and most true it is, that