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parts, the projections in one correspond so exactly with the
follows in the other that they might even be fitted together,
so here I have seen the rocks at the distance of two or three
plethra, overhanging the river on each side, and nearly reaching to the summit of the mountain, with hollows on one side
answering to projections on the other. The bed between (the
mountains) is entirely rock; it has a deep and very narrow
fissure through the middle, so that a dog and a hare might
leap across it. This is the channel of the river; it is full to
the margin, and in breadth resembles a canal. note But on account of the winding of its course, the great contraction of
the stream, and the depth of the ravine, a noise, like that of
thunder, strikes at a distance on the ears of those who approach it. In passing out through the mountains, it brings
down from Cataonia, and from the Cilician plains, so great a
quantity of alluvial soil to the sea, that an oracle to the following effect is reported to have been uttered respecting it:
The time will come, when Pyramus, with its deep whirlpools, by ad-
vaucing on the sea-shore, will reach the sacred Cyprus.
Something similar to this takes place in Egypt. The Nile is continually converting the sea into continent by an accumulation of earth; accordingly Herodotus calls Egypt a gift of the river, and Homer says, that the Pharos was formerly out at sea, not as it is at present connected with the mainland of Egypt. 5
[The third note in rank is the Dacian priesthood of Jupiter, inferior to this, but still of importance.] There is at this place a body of salt water, having the circumference of a considerable lake. It is shut in by lofty and perpendicular hills, so that the descent is by steps. The water it is said does not increase in quantity, nor has it anywhere an apparent outlet. 6
Neither the plain of the Cataonians nor Melitene have any city, but strongholds upon the mountains, as Azamora, and Dastarcum, round which runs the river Carmalas. note There is also the temple of the Cataonian Apollo, which is vener-
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Strabo, Geography (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Str.].