Cycnus is from Canaan. Phaethon is by some represented as the
first king, who reigned in [1188]Chaonia, and Epirus. He was in reality the
same as Osiris, the Sun; whose worship was in there very early, as well as
upon the Padus. The names of the Deities in every country are generally
prefixed to the list of kings, and mistaken accordingly. Cycnus is supposed
to have resided not only in Liguria, but in AEtolia, and Phocis. There was
in these parts a lake [1189]Conope, from Cycnus called also [1190]Cycnea;
which names undoubtedly came from Egypt, and Canaan. The colonies upon the
Padus left many memorials of their original; especially those, who were
from the Caphtorim of Palestina. Some of them had carried on a great work
upon the part of the river, where they settled; which from them was called
[1191]Fossa Philistina; and Fossiones Philistinae. Of this I have made
mention [1192]before.

It is said of Cadmus, that at the close of his life, he was, together with
his wife Harmonia, changed to a serpent of stone. This wonderful
metamorphosis is supposed to have happened at Encheliae, a town in Illyria,
which circumstance is taken notice of by Lucan.

[1193]Tunc qui Dardaniam tenet Oricon, et vagus altis
Dispersus sylvis Athamas, et _nomine prisco_
Encheliae, versi testantes funera Cadmi.

The true history is this. These two personages were here enshrined in a
temple, or Petra: and worshipped under the symbol of a serpent. Scylax
Caryandensis, speaking of this part of Illyria, says, [1194][Greek: Kadmou
kai Harmonias hoi lithoi eisin entautha, kai hieron.] _In this region are
two stones sacred to Cadmus, and Harmonia: and there is likewise a temple
dedicated to them._ Lucan, who calls the place Encheliae, speaks of the name
as of great antiquity. It undoubtedly was of long standing, and a term from
the Amonian language. Encheliae, [Greek: Encheliai], is the place of
En-Chel, by which is signified the fountain of heaven; similar to Hanes,
Anorus, Anopus in other parts. The temple was an Ophite Petra: which terms
induced people to believe, that there were in these temples serpents
petrified. It is possible, that in later times the Deity may have been
worshipped under this form: whence it might truly be said of Cadmus, and
Harmonia, that they would one day be exhibited in stone.

[1195][Greek: Laineen emellon echein ophiodea morphen.]

But the notion in general arose from a mistake; and was owing to a
misinterpreta