ifferent branches of the great Amonian family which spread
themselves abroad, the sons of Chus were the most considerable, and at the
same time the most enterprising. They got access into countries widely
distant; where they may be traced under different denominations, but more
particularly by their family title. This we might expect the Greeks to have
rendered Chusos, and to have named the people [Greek: Chusaioi], Chusaei.
But, by a fatal misprision, they uniformly changed these terms to words
more familiar to their ear, and rendered them [Greek: Chrusos], and [Greek:
Chruseios], as if they had a reference to gold. I have before mentioned the
various parts of the world where the Amonians settled, and especially this
branch of that family. Their most considerable colonies westward were in
Ioenia and Hellas; and about Cuma and Liguria in Italy; and upon the coast
of Iberia in Spain. They were likewise to be found in Cyrene; and still
farther in Mauritania, and in the islands opposite to that coast. In the
north they were to be met with at Colchis, towards the foot of Mount
Caucasus, and in most regions upon the coast of the Euxine sea. In the
histories of these countries the Grecians have constantly changed Chusos,
the Gentile name, to Chrusos, [Greek: Chrusos]; and Chus-Or, Chusorus, to
[Greek: Chrusor], Chrusor: and, in consequence of this alteration, they
have introduced in their accounts of these places some legend about gold.
Hence we read of a golden fleece at Colchis; golden apples at the
Hesperides; at [105]Tartessus, a golden cup; and, at Cuma, in Campania, a
golden branch:

Aureus et foliis, et lento vimine, ramus.

Something similar is observable in the history of Cyrene. The natives were
not remarkable for either mines or merchandize: yet, Palaephatus, having
mentioned that they were [Greek: kata genos Aithiopes], Ethiopians by
extraction, that is, Cuseans, subjoins: [106][Greek: Eisi de sphodra
chrusoi]. Pindar, in celebrating each happy circumstance of the Insulae
Fortunatae, mentions, that there were trees with branches of gold:
[107][Greek: Anthema de chrusou phlegei]. The river Phasis, in Colchis, was
supposed to have abounded with gold; and the like was pretended of the
Hermus and Pactolus in Ioenia. Not only the Poets, but many of the graver
[108]historians, speak of their golden sands. Yet there is reason to doubt
of the fact: for not one of them produces any good voucher for what they
suppose. The