XLI. 1. Those, however, who combine with the

above [considerations] of the Physicists some of the Mathematic [doctrines] derived from star-lore, think that the solar cosmos is called Typhon and the lunar Osiiia*
2. For [they think] that the Moon, in that its li|^ is generative and moistening, is favourable both for breedings of animals and sproutings of plants ; whereas the Sun, with untempered and haish fire, boma and
» iZ., iv. 3W.
* A play on the ^ day's sail " (I^^amt) and Ar«4fM«»rflr.
' It is, of course, a very poor interpr^ation of the myth to talk only about floods and desert, sea and rain, etc These are all facte illustrating the underlying truth, but they are not the real maaning.
* This is a worse guess than even that of the Phjaidflta Qf.lLft.
THE MYSTERIES OF ISIS AND OSIRIS 319
withers up [all] that are growing and blowing, and with fiery heat renders the major part of the earth entirely uninhabitable, and in many places utterly masters the Moon.
3. For which cause Egyptians always call Typhon SSth,^ — that is, ''that which oppresses and constrains by force."
4. And they have a myth that Heracles is settled in the Sun and accompanies him in his revolutions, while Hermes does the same with the Moon.
5. For the [revolutions] of the Moon resemble works of reason (logo$) and super-abundant wisdom, while those of the Sun are like penetrating strokes [given] with force and power.'
6. Moreover, the Stoics say that the sun is kept burning and nourished from the sea,' whereas to the Moon the waters of springs and lakes send up a sweet and mild exhalation.