a very high rock of India, having its name from its extraordinary height, as being above the flight of a bird. Its circuit was about 25 miles, its height 11 furlongs, and the way leading up to the top artificial and narrow. At the bottom, on one side, ran the river Indus; on the top was a fine plain, part of which was covered with a thick wood; the rest arable land, with a fountain furnishing abundance of excellent water. This rock was taken by Alexander the Great, in whose time there was a report that Hercules had attempted it in vain; however, according to Arrian, this report was without foundation. It is probable indeed, that it was raised after the place was taken, in order to magnify Alexander's exploits. While the Macedonian monarch was preparing all things necessary for the siege, an old man with his two sons, who had long lived in a cave near the summit, came and offered to show him a private way of ascending. This being readily accepted, Ptolemy, with a considerable body of light-armed troops, was despatched with them, with orders, in case they succeeded, to intrench themselves strongly upon the rock, in the wood to which the old man was to direct them, before they ventured to attack the Indians. Ptolemy exactly executed his orders; and gave notice, by a lighted torch set upon a pole, that he had got safely up. Upon this, Alexander gave immediate orders for a body of troops to attempt the passage by which the rock was commonly ascended; but they were repulsed with great slaughter. He then sent an Indian with letters to Ptolemy, desiring him, the next time an attack was made by the common way, to fall upon the enemy behind. But in the mean time, those who defended the rock attacked Ptolemy with great vigour; but were at last repulsed, though with much difficulty: but the next day, when Alexander renewed the attack, though Ptolemy attacked the Indians in the rear, the Macedonians were repulsed on both sides. At last, the king perceiving that the strength of the Indians lay in the straitness and declivity of the way by which they were attacked, caused a great quantity of trees to be felled, and with them filled the cavities between the plain on which which the Indians were encamped and the highest of his own advanced posts. The Indians at first derided his undertaking; but at length perceiving the ardour with which the work was carried on, and having felt the effects of the missile weapons of the Macedonians, they sent deputies to propose terms of capitulation. Alexander suspecting that their design was only to amuse him till they made their escape, withdrew his troops from the avenues. As soon as he knew the Indians were decamped, he, with 700 of Ptolemy's light-armed foot, took possession of the deserted rock, and then made a signal for his forces to fall upon the flying Indians. They, setting up a loud shout, so terrified the fugitives, that numbers of them fell from the rocks and precipices, and were dashed to pieces, while the greatest part of the remainder were cut off in the roads.