[723] Pliny (vi. 21), says that Alexander erected the altars on the farther bank of the Hyphasis, whereas Arrian, Diodorus, and Plutarch say they were on this side of the river. Curtius (ix. 13) does not specify the side of the river.
[724] Herodotus (iv. 44) says that the Indus is the only river besides the Nile which produces crocodiles. He does not seem to have known the Ganges.
[725] This was the Nelumbium speciosum, the Egyptian bean of Pythagoras, the Lotus of the Hindus, held sacred by them. It is cultivated and highly valued in China, where it is eaten. The seeds are the shape and size of acorns.
[726] I.e. the Mediterranean.
[727] See Arrian, v. 6 supra. The native name of Egypt was Chem (black). Compare Vergil (Georgic. iv. 291):—Viridem Aegyptum nigrâ fecundat arenâ. Usque coloratis amnis devexus ab Indis.
[728] This use of ἀμφί with the dative is instead of the Attic περί with the genitive or accusative.
[729] Plutarch (Alex. 66) informs us that Alexander’s army numbered 120,000 infantry and 15,000 cavalry. Cf. Arrian (Indica, 19).
[730] Arrian, in the Indica (chap. 19), says that Alexander embarked with 8,000 men.
[731] Strabo (xv. 1) says that the realm of Sopeithes was called Cathaia.
[732] As Alexander was at this time east of the Indus, the expression, “beyond the Indus,” means west of it.