[262] Vincent, vol. i. p. 122. It is worthy of remark that not a single native of Southern Greece—even of Athens—is mentioned among the leading followers of Alexander. Nearchus was a Macedonian of Amphipolis; three other naval chiefs were from Cos, Teos, and Cyprus. [263] Vincent’s “Commerce in India,” vol. i. p. 169. [264] Ibid. vol. i. p. 171. [265] Vincent, i. p. 136. No modern site has as yet been recognised for this city; nor is Wilson sure. Ariana Antiq. p. 207. [266] Vincent, “Commerce in India,” vol. i. p. 326. [267] Ibid. vol. i. chap. ii. p. 431. [268] In 1838, the author, then a young man in command of the _Olive Branch_, a barque of four hundred tons, sailed along the whole of this coast, frequently following the route which Nearchus had taken, and sometimes obliged to anchor on account of the intricacy of the navigation, as Nearchus had done, overnight. He can, therefore, confirm the accuracy of Heeren’s condensed description of the voyage in its difficulties and dangers; and can testify to the abundance of the dates, which formed a portion of the author’s return cargo to Bombay; and also, he may add, to the “robbers” by whom he was attacked when conveying, from an inland town in the vicinity of Bushire, some treasure which was destined for his ship. [269] Lib. vi. p. 136. [270] Vincent, vol. i. p. 695. [271] _The Telegraph._ Telegraphic communication with India is now so far perfect, that electricity outstrips the speed of the earth, as it frequently happens that messages transmitted from Calcutta at noon to London are delivered by the Indo-European Telegraph Company at 10.30 A.M. Communication between London and Teherán (the terminus of the Indian Government lines) is actually instantaneous.—_Times_, 5 April, 1870. [272] Vincent, vol. i. p. 509. [273] Pliny, xii. c. 11. [274] Arrian, “Exp. Alex.” vii. 25. [275] Pliny, vi. 88. [276] Ammianus speaks of ambassadors from Ceylon to the Emperor Julian, xx. 4. [277] Arrian, “Periplus,” 13 to 36. [278] This treatise of Cosmas exists in Montfaucon: Bibl. Nov. Patrum. ii. p. 336. [279] One thousand amphoræ are equal to about thirty-three tons. [280] Tennent’s “Ceylon,” vol. i. p. 575. [281] Herod. iii. 111. [282] History of India, s. iii. p. 99. [283] The Malay and many local dialects are still chiefly written in Arabic characters. [284] Robertson’s “History of India,” p. 106. CHAPTER VI.