[60]This account probably originated in a species of monkey generally considered to be the baboon, with a projecting muzzle, called, from this circumstance, “cynocephalus,” or the “Dog’s head.” This account of the cynocephali is repeated by Aulus Gellius. It is a pity that Pliny should have adopted so many ridiculous fables, on the doubtful authority of Ctesias. [61]These are the great apes, which are found in some of the Oriental islands. We may suppose that this description is taken from some incorrect account of a large kind of ape; but it seems impossible to refer it to any particular species. [62]Can these be the Chinese? [63]Either silk or cotton. [64]Cuvier remarks, that these accounts are not capable of any explanation, being mere fables. [65]Iliad, B. iii. l. 3-6. Their story is also referred to by Ovid and Juvenal. [66]Pliny, elsewhere, speaks of the use of vipers’ flesh as an article of diet, and gives some minute directions for its preparation. It was supposed to be peculiarly nutritive and restorative, and it has been prescribed for the same purpose by modern physicians. There is a medal in existence, probably struck by the Emperor Commodus, in order to commemorate the benefit which he was supposed to have derived from the use of the flesh of vipers. [67]Cuvier remarks that this story must have been originally told with reference to the race of large apes. [68]The dog-faced ape—the baboon. [69]The gladiators called Samnites, were armed with the peculiar “scutum,” or oblong shield, used by the Samnites, a greave on the left leg, a sponger on the breast, and a helmet with a crest. [70]Philippides must have gone one hundred and forty-two miles in two days, and the other one hundred and fifty miles in one day. [71]This statement must have been in some of his lost works. [72]His works in ivory were said to have been so small, that they could scarcely be seen without placing them on a black surface. [73]Or Bacchus.—“Father Liber” is the name always given to him by Pliny. [74]“Magnus.” Plutarch states, that, on his return from Africa, Sylla saluted him with the name of “Magnus,” which surname he ever afterwards retained. He also says that the law did not allow a triumph to be granted to any one who was not either consul or prætor. [75]When a Roman overcame an enemy with whom he had been personally engaged, he took possession of some part of his armor and dress, which might bear testimony to the victory; this was termed the “spolium.” The words “hasta pura,” or victor’s spear, signify a lance without an iron head. We are told that it was given to him who gained the first victory in a battle; it was also regarded as an emblem of supreme power, and as a mark of the authority which one nation claimed over another.