a part of the ancient Scythian nation. The men and the women were bald, humpbacked, and had great chins. Their language was totally peculiar to themselves. Their dress was the same with that of the other Scythians. Their food was the fruit of a tree called Pontica, about as high as a fig-tree; it bore a kind of filbert; the kernel of which in form resembled a bean. They sucked from it a thick black liquor; and this liquor they sometimes drank with milk. The grocer part of this fruit, after it had been pressed, served them instead of animal food; for they had but few cattle, and were therefore unskilled in the care of flocks and herds. They lay in winter under trees, over which they spread a white covering; this covering they used not in the summer. None dared to offer them any injury; for they were deemed sacred. Therefore they had no arms; and were unacquainted with the art of war. They determined the differences and disputes of their neighbours; and whoever fled to them from persecution, found a safe asylum; it would have been sacrilege to hurt, to insult him in their country.