218 acter infonnation to give I willingly dismiss the subject of the ant.§ But about parrots N e a r- chos writes as if they were a new curiosity, and tells us that they are indigenous to India, and what-like they are, and that they speak with a human voice ; but since I have myself seen many parrots, and know others who are acquaint- ed with the bird, I will say nothing about it as if it were still unfamiliar. || Nor will I say aught of the apes, either touching their size, or the beauty which distinguishes them in India, or the' mode in which they are hunted, for I should only be stating what is well known, except perhaps the fact that they are beautiful. Regarding snakes, too, Nearchos tells us that they are caught in the country, being spotted, and nimble in their movements, and that one which P e i t h o the son of AntigenSs caught measured about sixteen cubits, though the Indians allege that the largest snakes are much larger. But no cure of the bite of the Indian snake has been found out by any of the Greek physicians, though the Indians, it is certain, can cure those who have been bitten.^ And Nearchos adds this, that Alexander had all the most skilful of the Indians in the healing art collected around him, and had caused procla- mation to be made throughout the camp that if § See notes to pp. 94 and 96. II Quia ezpedivit 2>stt<aco ewam XAIBE.—Persias, Frol. to Sat. 1. 8. 1 Thu is, xmfortonately, one of Uie lost arts. Digitized by Google
