ARAXES, a celebrated river which springs from mount Ararat, six miles from the source of the Euphrates, and empties itself into the Caspian Sea. This river is so large and rapid, when it is swelled by the melted snow, that the banks which are raised against it, and other structures of any kind are carried away with it1. The noise of its waters terrifies those who hear it. The current drives boats with so much impetuosity, as to make them go half a mile in an instant. Attempts have been often made to build bridges over this river, but all those that have been built, have constantly been overset with its waters. Paul Lucas2 says, notwithstanding, that at present there is a bridge over the Araxes; and there is a tradition in the country, that the spring-head of this river is in the place where Paradise was. We believe it to be the same with Genes. ii. 13.Gihon mentioned by Moses. The name of Gihon in Hebrew signifies to flow with impetuosity, as Araxes does in Greek. See our Comment upon Genesis, Chap. ii. ver. 13.
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