Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/162

 128 PLINY 'S NATUEAL HISTOET. [Book II. enclosed like a well, which sometimes rises and falls with the ocean, and, at other times, in both respects contrary to it. In the same place there is another well, which always agrees with the ocean. On the shores of the Bajtis^ there is a town where the wells become lower when the tide rises, and fill again when it ebbs ; while at other tim^es they remain sta- tionary. The same thing occurs in one Avell in the town of Hispalis", while there is nothing peculiar in the other wells. The Euxine always fiows into the Propontis, the water never flowiag back into the Euxine^. CHAP. 101. (98.) WONDEES OP THE SEA. All seas are purified at the full moon'* ; some also at stated- periods. At Messina and My las a refuse matter, like dung^, is cast up on the shore, whence originated the story of the oxen of the Sun having had their stable at that place. To what has been said above (not to omit anything with which I am acquainted) Aristotle adds, that no animal dies except when the tide is ebbing. The observation has been often made on the ocean of Gaul ; but it has only been found true with respect to man*'. CHAP. 102. (99.) THE POWEE OP THE MOOlf OYEE THE LA]S"I) AND THE SEA. Hence we may certainly conjecture, that the moon is not ^ Now called the Guadalquivir. 2 'j'^^g modera Seville. 3 This circumstance is noticed by most of the ancients, as by Aristotle, Meteor, ii. 1 ; by Seneca, Nat. Qusest. iv. 2 ; and by Strabo. It has, however, no relation to the tide, but depends upon the quantity of water transmitted into the Euxine by the numerous large rivers that empty themselves into it. ^ It has been suggested, with some plausibility, that the greater height of the tides at this period will cause a greater quantity of matter to be cast on shore. This circumstance is referred to by Seneca, Nat. Qusest. iii. 26 ; and by Strabo. species intelhgcndse sunt, qvise convoluta3 et marcidse in Httus ejiciuntur." Lemaire, i. 432. ^ It may cause some surprise to find that such an opinion has been entertained even in modern times ; but more correct observation has shown it to be without foundation. Lemaire.
 * • Alexandre observes on this supposed fact, " Algarum molles qusedam