94 Ulisse Aldrovandi

and wise in counsel; they also worship Jupiter Ammon in the form of a ram. The inhabitants of Marmarica and Lower Egypt are assigned to Gemini and Mercury; consequently, they excel in prudence and are known as Magi. Those who dwell in the Thebaid and Troglodytica are under the influence of Libra and Venus, which makes them fickle in their opinions. The Azani are attributed to Aquarius and Saturn, leading them to practice wilder customs and live a rustic life. Anyone wishing to learn more about such matters should consult the astronomers, particularly Ptolemy, who treated this subject at length.

Turning our attention to the specific customs of the ancients, we first encounter their "volume." This was nothing more than a long strip of parchment, written on both sides in the finest script. It was kept inside a wooden case, elegantly turned on a lathe, to protect it against