[418] By the achronical rising of the Pleiades is meant the rising of this constellation, or its first becoming visible, after sunset. Vincent (Voyage of Nearchus) fixes on the 23rd October, 327 B. C., as the date of the departure of Alexander from Nicæa; August, 326 B. C., as the date of his arrival at Pattala; and the 2nd of October, 326 B. C., as the date of the departure of the fleet from the Indus. [419] The pith in the young head-shoot of the palm-tree. [420] Called Pura by Arrian. [421] The Oritæ are no doubt here meant. [422] By the line drawn from the Caspian Gates to Carmania. [423] See above, c. i. § 12. [424] Herat. [425] Candahar. [426] See b. xi. c. viii. § 9. [427] The text is corrupt: ἐκ μέρους is probably taken from some other part of the text and here inserted. [428] The same as Zarangæ; they probably dwelt on the lake Zarah, which undoubtedly retains its Zend name. _Wilson’s_ Ariana. [429] Corresponding nearly with the present Hamadan. [430] None is said to be found there at the present day. [431] They were called Ariaspi; Cyrus, son of Cambyses, gave them the name Euergetæ, “benefactors,” in consideration of the services which they had rendered in his expedition against the Scythians. [432] At the beginning of winter. [433] The text is corrupt; the words between brackets are supplied by Kramer’s conjecture. See b. xi. c. xi. § 2. [434] Theophrastus, iv. 5. The Pistatia-nut tree. [435] Bamian, see b. xi. c. xi. § 2. [436] In the text 19,000. Kramer’s proposed reading is adopted of separating the amount. [437] Ariana in the text. Groskurd proposes to read Carmania; Kramer, Bactriana. [438] About 140 feet. Arrian says twenty-five orguiæ, or about 150 feet. [439] Groskurd proposes to supply after “Sea” words which he thinks are here omitted; upon insufficient grounds, however, according to Kramer. [440] The Arosis of Arrian, now the Tab. [441] This passage is very corrupt, and many words, according to Kramer, appear to be omitted. See b. ii. c i. § 26. We read with Groskurd “Media” for “Caspian Gates” in the text: and insert “9000 stadia,” here from b. ii. c. i. § 26, and, following the same authority, 3000 for 2000 stadia in the text below. [442] Persæ, v. 17 and 118. [443] Pasa or Fesa. [444] Taug or Taüog, on the river Grâ. [445] The Uxii occupied the district of Asciac. [446] There seems little doubt that the Karun represents the ancient Eulæus (on which some authors state Susa to have been situated), and the Kerkhah the old Choaspes. See _Smith_, art. Choaspes. [447] Groskurd adds 1000 stadia to this amount. [448] Quin. Curtius, v. 10. Diod. Sic. xvii. 67. [449] Ab-Zal. [450] Hollow Persis. [451] Bendamir. [452] The capital of Parætacene is Ispahan. [453] Probably the Ab-Kuren. [454] Pasa or Fesa. [455] Orxines, Quint. Cur. x. c. 1. [456] For sacrifice to Cyrus. Arrian, vi. c. 29. [457] Arrian adds, “Son of Cambyses.” [458] Groskurd reads, ἅλλεσθαι, hops or jumps up.