Lastly, the thing it self whereon the opinion dependeth, that is, the variety of the flux and the reflux of _Euripus_, or whether the same do ebb and flow seven times a day, is not incontrovertible. For though _Pomponius Mela_, and after him _Solinus_ and _Pliny_ have affirmed it, yet I observe _Thucydides_, who speaketh often of _Eubœa_, hath omitted it. _Pausanias_ an ancient Writer, who hath left an exact description of _Greece_, and in as particular a way as _Leandro_ of _Italy_, or _Cambden_ of great _Britain_, describing not only the Country Towns, and Rivers; but Hills, Springs and Houses, hath left no mention hereof. _Æschines_ in _Ctesiphon_ only alludeth unto it; and _Strabo_ that accurate Geographer speaks warily of it, that is, ὡς φασὶ, and as men commonly reported. And so doth also _Maginus, Velocis ac varii fluctus est mare, ubi quater in die, aut septies, ut alii dicunt, reciprocantur æstus. Botero_ more plainly, _Il mar cresce e cala con un impeto mirabile quatra volte il di, ben che communimente si dica sette volte_, etc. This Sea with wondrous impetuosity ebbeth and floweth four times a day, although it be commonly said seven times, and generally opinioned, that _Aristotle_ despairing of the reason, drowned himself therein. In which description by four times a day, it exceeds not in number the motion of other Seas, taking the words properly, that is, twice ebbing and twice flowing in four and twenty hours. And is no more than what _Thomaso Porrcacchi_ affirmeth in his description of famous Islands, that twice a day it hath such an impetuous flood, as is not without wonder. _Livy_ speaks more particularly, _Haud facile infestior classi statio est et fretum ipsum Euripi, non septies die (ficut fama fert) temporibus certis reciprocat, sed temere in modum venti, nunc hunc nunc illuc verso mari, velut monte præcipiti devolutus torrens rapitur_. There is hardly a worse harbour, the fret or channel of _Euripus_ not certainly ebbing or flowing seven times a day, according to common report: but being uncertainly, and in the manner of a wind carried hither and thither, is whirled away as a torrent down a hill. But the experimental testimony of _Gillius_ is most considerable of any: who having beheld the course thereof, and made enquiry of Millers that dwelt upon its shore, received answer, that it ebbed and flowed four times a day, that is, every six hours, according to the Law of the Ocean: but that indeed sometimes it observed not that certain course. And this irregularity, though seldom happening, together with its unruly and tumultuous motion, might afford a beginning unto the common opinion. Thus may the expression in _Ctesiphon_ be made out: And by this may _Aristotle_ be interpreted, when in his Problems he seems to borrow a Metaphor from _Euripus_: while in the five and twentieth Section he enquireth, why in the upper parts of houses the air doth Euripize, that is, is whirled hither and thither.