_Differunt: in melius_. The authorities differ greatly as to the reading, the pointing and the interpretation of this passage. Some copies omit _in_. Others insert _nec_ before it. Some place the pause before _in melius_, others after. Some read _differt_, others _differunt. Nec in melius_ would perhaps give the better sense. But the reading is purely conjectural. I have given that, which, on the whole, seems to rest on the best authority, and to make the best sense. The sense is: _the soil, climate, &c., do not differ much from those of Britain. But that the harbors and entrances to the country are better_ (lit. _differ for the better, differre in melius), is ascertained through the medium of the merchants, who resort thither for trade_ (for Ireland had not yet, like Britain, been explored by a Roman _army_). So Wr. and Död. On _in melius_, see note H. 1, 18. Or. and Rit. make the comparison thus: the harbors and entrances are better known, than the soil, climate, &c. The common interpretation is: the harbors, &c., of Ireland are better known, than those of Britain. But neither of these interpretations accounts for the position of _melius_; and the last is in itself utterly incredible. _Ex eo_, sc. A. Pass. and Dr. understand it of the Irish chief, and infer that T. had been in Brit. But A. is the subject of the next sentence without the repetition of his name, as it would have been repeated, if this sentence referred to another. XXV. _Amplexus_. Some supply _bello_, as in 17: bello amplexus. But better: embracing _in his plan of operations_, i.e. _extending his operations to those tribes_. _Hostilis exercitus_. Al. hostili exercitu. But _hostilis exercitus_ in the MSS. and earliest editions.--_Infesta_ is here active: _hostile inroads of the enemy's forces_. _In partem virium_. _For_, i.e. _as a part of his force_. _Impelleretur_, was borne on with rapid and resistless power. _Profunda--adversa_. Cf. note, 6: _inania honoris_. _Mixti copiis et laetitia. Uniting their stores and their pleasures_, i.e. their respective means of entertainment. For _mixti_, cf. 4: locum--mixtum. For _copiis_ in this sense, 22: annuis copiis. For the other sense, viz. forces, 24: copiis, note. _Hinc--hinc==on this side--on that_. Cf. note G. 14: _illum--illam_.-- _Victus_. Al. _auctus_. _Ad manus et arma_. Ang. _to arms_. _Oppugnasse_ depends on _fama_. Their preparations were great. Rumor as usual (_uti mos_, etc.) represented them still greater; for the rumor went abroad, that the Caledonians had _commenced offensive operations (oppugnasse ultra).--Castella adorti_ is the means by which they _metum addiderant_, i.e. _had inspired additional fear_. _Pluribus agminibus. In several divisions_. Accordingly it is added: _diviso et ipse_, A. _himself also_, i.e. as well as the Britons, _having divided_, etc. _Agmen_ (from ago), properly a body of men on the march.--_Exercitus_, under military drill (exerceo.)