Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/444

 410 plint's FATUEAL HTSTOET. [Book V. CHAP. 10. — THE EIVEE NILE. The sources of tlie Nile^ are unascertained, and, travelling as it does for an immense distance through deserts and burn- ing sands, it is only known to us by common report, having neither experienced the vicissitudes of warfare, nor been visited by those arms which have so effectually explored all other regions. It rises, so far indeed as King Juba was enabled to ascertain, in a mountain^ of Lower Mauritania, not far from the ocean ; immediately after which it forms a lake of standing water, which bears the name of Nilides^. In this lake are found the several kinds of fish known by the names of alabeta'*, coracinus, and silurus ; a crocodile also was brought thence as a proof that this really is the Nile, and was consecrated by Juba himself in the temple of Isis at Csesarea', where it may be seen at the present day. In addition to these facts, it has been observed that the waters of the Nile rise in the same proportion in which the subsequent distribution of a part of the overflow of the Nile. The sup- position that it was formed by artificial means is now pretty generally exploded, and it is regarded as of natural formation. It was situate in the nome of Arsinoites or Crocodilopohtes. Its length seems to be over- stated by our author, as at the present day it is only thirty miles in length and five in breadth at the widest part. ^ And it is generally supposed that they are so up to the present day. The ethnographer Jablonski is of opinion that this river derives its name from the Coptish word tneialei " to rise at stated times." Servius, the commentator on Virgil, says that it is derived from the two Greek words vea iXvs "fresh mud," in allusion to the fresh mud or slime which it leaves after each inimdation. Singularly enough, ChampolHon prefers this silly etymology to that suggested by Jablonski. 2 An interesting disquisition on the probable sources of the Nile, as viewed by the ancients, is to be foimd in the Ninth Book of Lucan's Pharsaha. The Indian word " mZas," "black," has also been suggested as its possible origin. 3 What spot is meant under this name, if indeed it is anything more than the creation of fancy, it is impossible to ascertain vrith any degree of precision. It is possible however that the ancients may have had some knowledge of "Lake Tchad, and the Moimtains of the Moon, or Djebel-Kumri, though at the same time it is more than doubtful that the Nile has its source in either of those locahties, the former especially. c. 24, 32, and B. xxxii. c. 19, 24, 34, 44, and 53 ; and as to tke Silurus, B. ix. c. 17, 25, and B. xxxii. c. 31, 36, 40, 43, 44, &c.
 * Perhaps a kind of river lamprey. As to the Coracinus, see B. ix.
 * The modem Yacur in Northern Africa.