[40] Vid. Serv. Comment. in Virgil. Æneid, l. iii. ℣. 57.
[41] This was a kind of Expiatory Sacrifice, as the Scape-Goat among the Jews, Levit. xvi. And the Wretches thus devoted to dye for the Sins of the People were called Καθάρματα, Purgations. Vid. Aristophan. in Plut. ver. 454. et in Equit. ver. 1133. et Scholiast. ibid. Suidas adds that when the Sacrificed Person was cast into the Water, these Words were pronounced, Περίψημα ἡμῶν γενοῦ, Be thou our Cleansing. And I observe, by the by, that the Apostle Paul, 1 Corinth. iv. 13. alluding very probably to this wicked Custom, makes use of both these Words, where speaking of himself in the plural number, he says, Ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα; for some of the best MSS. instead of Ως περικαθάρματα, read ὥσπερ, or ὡσπερεὶ καθάρματα; that is, We have been looked upon as Wretches fit only to be Sacrificed for the Public good, and cast out of the World by way of Attonement for the Sins of the whole Society.
[42] Vid. Le Brun Voyage au Levant, c. 38.
[43] Vid. Ludolf. Histor. Æthiop. lib. i. c. 13. et D. August. De civitat. Dei, lib. iii. c. ult.
[44] Vid. Ludolf. Histor. Æthiop. lib. i. c. 5. et Comment.
[45] J. Leo Hist. Afric. lib. i.
[46] Lib. vi. ℣ 1100.
[47] Rhas. et Avicen.
[48] Essay on Poysons, p. 178.
[49] Cicero de Nat. Deor. lib. i. § 36. speaking of these Birds, says: Avertunt Pestem ab Aegypto, cum volucres angues ex vastitate Libyae vento Africo invectas interficiunt atque consumunt; ex quo fit ut illae nec morsu vivae noceant, nec odore mortuae.