It is said in some of the Voyages, I think it is in Hawkesworth's, that the Top is well known among the Indians, some of whom pointed to our sailors, who seemed to wonder at seeing it amongst them, that in order to make it spin they should lash it with a whip.

The following mention of whipping the top occurs in Persius's third Satire:

"Neu quis callidior buxum torquere flagello."

"The whirling top they whip, And drive her giddy till she fall asleep." Dryden.

Thus also in Virgil's Seventh Æneid, 1. 378:

"Ceu quondam torto volitans sub verbere Turbo,

Quem pueri magno in gyro vacua atria circum