Thus may we perceive that this account was differently related by the Ancients, that it is undeniably rejected by the Moderns, and must be warily received by any. For if we receive them all into account, they were more then seven, if only the natural sluces, they were fewer; and however we receive them, there is no agreeable and constant description thereof. And therefore how reasonable it is to draw continual and durable deductions from alterable and uncertain foundations; let them consider who make the gates of _Thebes_, and the mouths of this River a constant and continued periphrasis for this number, and in their Poetical expressions do give the River that Epithite unto this day.
The same River is also accounted the greatest of the earth, called therefore _Fluviorum pater_, and _totius Orbis maximus_, by _Ortelius_: If this be true, many Maps must be corrected, or the relations of divers good Authors renounced.
For first, In the deliniations of many Maps of _Africa_, the River _Niger_ exceedeth it about ten degrees in length, that is, no less then six hundred miles. For arising beyond the Ãquator it maketh Northward almost 15 degrees, and deflecting after Westward, without Meanders, continueth a strait course about 40 degrees; and at length with many great currents disburdeneth it self into the Occidental Ocean. Again, if we credit the descriptions of good Authors, other Rivers excell it in length, or breadth, or both. _Arrianus_ in his history of _Alexander_, assigneth the first place unto the River _Ganges_; which truly according unto latter relations, if not in length, yet in breadth and depth may be granted to excell it. For the magnitude of _Nilus_ consisteth in the dimension of longitude, and is inconsiderable in the other; what stream it maintaineth beyond _Syene_ or _Asna_, and so forward unto its original, relations are very imperfect; but below these places, and farther removed from the head, the current is but narrow, and we read in the History of the _Turks_, the _Tartar_ horsemen of _Selimus_ swam over the _Nile_ from _Cairo_, to meet the forces of _Tonumbeus_. Baptista Scortia expresly treating hereof, [SN: _De natura et incremento Nili._] preferreth the River of _Plate_ in _America_; for that as _Maffeus_ hath delivered, falleth into the Ocean in the latitude of forty leagues; and with that source and plenty that men at Sea do tast fresh water, before they approach so near as to discover the land. So is it exceeded by that which by _Cardan_ is termed the greatest in the world, that is the River _Oregliana_ in the same continent; which as _Maginus_ delivereth, hath been navigated 6000 miles; and opens in a chanel of ninety leagues broad; so that, as _Acosta_, an ocular witness recordeth, they that sail in the middle, can make no land of either side.