CHARYBDIS, a celebrated whirlpool in the straits of Messina between Italy and Sicily; much taken notice of by the ancient historians and poets, and de-
scribed by them in terms of the greatest horror. It is still dangerous, but not so formidable as in former ages; Mr Brydone only says, that "it often occasions such an intestine and irregular motion in the water, that the helm loses most of its power, and ships have the greatest difficulty to get into the harbour of Messina, even with the fairest wind that can blow." He conjectures that it is formed by the falciform promontory of the island of Sicily, which makes part of the harbour above mentioned, along with some other causes unknown.