The sea which washes Samogithia, and which is called by some the Baltic, by some the German, by others the Prussian, and by others the Venetic sea, and which the Germans call Pelts, in allusion to the Baltic, is properly named a gulf; for it flows within the Cimbrian Chersonese, which is now called by the Germans, Yuchtland and Sunder Yuchtland, but in Latin, Jucia, — a word derived from the same source. It washes also that part of Germany which is called by the Germans Low, beginning at Holstein, which lies next to the Cimbrian Chersonese, then flows by the country of Lubeck, then by Vismar, Rostock, the cities of the dukes of Mecklenburg, and the whole region of Pomerania, which country derives its name from the circumstance of which we are speaking; for in the Sclavonic language, Pomorüae, signifies near the sea, or maritime. After that it flows by Prussia, the capital of which is Gdanum, which is also called Gedanum and Dantiscum. The Duke of Prussia, however, has a seat which is called Mons Regius [Konigsberg]. In that locality they fish, at a certain time of the year, for the amber which floats upon the sea. This fishery is carried on at great risk by persons engaged in it, on account of the sudden ebb and flow of the sea.
The sea skirts Samogithia only by the space of about four miles, after which it flows along an extensive tract comprising Livonia and the country called Khurland, doubtless so named from the Cureti, as well as some districts which are subject to the Russians; it then flows round Finland, which belongs to the Swedes, whence also the name of the Venedi is supposed to have derived its origin. On the other side it flows by Sweden.
The whole of the kingdom of Denmark, which principally consists of islands, is comprised in this gulf, with the exception of Jucia and Scandia, which are attached to the continent. The island of Gothland also, which is subject to the King of Denmark, lies in this gulf. Some
