day and a night) cannot be ſuppoſed all of them to correſpond with meaſurement, as the time conſumed in ſome coaſting voyages muſt; be longer than in others, on account of the ſhores and currents, and often of the irregularity of the winds that blow off the land.
Let us however, ſubject to ſuch allowance as may be made for theſe interruptions, examine ſome of the diſtances which he ſpecſies.
The firſt diſtance he mentions is that which extends acroſs the Straits of Gibraltar, which he accounts one day's fail. This diſtance is much leſs than 500 ſtadia; but on account of the current, which always ſets ſtrongly through the Straits into the Mediterranean, it might have taken up ſo much time with ſhips of ſuch imperfect conſtruction and management.
The next diſtance he mentions is from Gades to the Pillars of Hercules, which he reckons as one day's ſail. This correſponds well with the ſpace, it being very nearly 500 ſtadia.
From the mouth of the Rhone to Antium, or, as Cluwferius reads, to the Arnus, is counted four days and four nights ſail. If the Arnus be the genuine reading, the coaſting diſtance is about 2400 ſtadia, or 600 in twenty-four hours, or a day and night. If Antium be the right reading, the diſtance approaches nearer to the allotment of Ptolemy, it being nearly 4000 ſtadia, which accords with the calculation.
Another diſtance, which he ſpecifies, is from Sardinia to the coaſt of
