του κοσμου κιονας; all the celestial and terrestrial phenomena, which had been entrusted to the sacred pillars of the Atlantes, ἁι γαιην τε και ουρανον αμφις εχουσιν, which contained descriptions both of the heavens, and the earth. From Phrygia they came at last to Hellas, where they were introduced by Anaximander, who is said, [210]Εσδουναι πρωτον γεωγραφικον πινακα, _to have been the first who introduced a geographical chart_: or, as Laertius expresses it, [211]Γης και Θαλαττης περιμετρον, _the circumference of the terraqueous globe delineated_. Though the origin of maps may be deduced from Egypt, yet they were not the native Egyptians, by whom they were first constructed. Delineations of this nature were the contrivance of the Cuthites, or Shepherds. They were, among other titles, styled Saïtæ; and from them both astronomy and geometry were introduced in those parts. They, with immense labour, drained the lower provinces; erected stupendous buildings; and raised towers at the mouths of the river, which were opportunely situated for navigation. For, though the Mizraim were not addicted to commerce, yet it was followed by other families besides the Cuthites, who occupied the lower provinces towards the sea. The towers which were there raised served for lighthouses, and were, at the same time, temples, denominated from some title of the Deity, such as Canoph, Caneph, Cneph; also Perses, Proteus, Phanes, and Canobus. They were on both accounts much resorted to by mariners, and enriched with offerings. Here were deposited charts of the coast, and of the navigation of the Nile, which were engraved on pillars, and in aftertimes sketched out upon the Nilotic Papyrus. There is likewise reason to think that they were sometimes delineated upon walls. This leads me to take notice of a passage from Pherecydes Syrus, which seems to allude to something of this nature: though, I believe, in his short detail that he has misrepresented the author from whom he copied. He is said, by Theopompus, [212]πρωτον περι της φυσεως, και Θεων, Ἑλλησι γραφειν, _to have been the first who wrote for the benefit of his countrymen about nature and the Gods_. Suidas [213]mentions, that he composed a theogony; all which knowledge, we are assured, came from Egypt. It is certain that he studied in that[214] country; whence we may conclude, that the following history is Egyptian. He says, that Zas, or Jupiter, composed a large and curious robe, upon which he described the earth, and the ocean, and the habitations upon the ocean. [215]Ζας ποιει φαρος μεγα τε, και καλον, και εν αυτῳ ποικιλλει Γην, και Ωγηνον, και τα Ωγηνου δωματα. Now, Zas, or, as it should be rendered, Zan, was the Dorian title of Amon. And Ogenus, the Ocean, was the most antient name of the Nile; whence the Grecians borrowed their Oceanus. [216]Ὁι γαρ Αιγυπτιοι νομιζουσιν ωκεανον ειναι τον παρ' αυτοις ποταμον Νειλον. _The Egyptians, by the term Oceanus, understand their own river Nilus_. The same author, in