The Devil's Dictionaryby Ambrose Bierce

AUSTRALIA

AVERNUS

—n.

The lake by which the ancients entered the infernal regions. The fact that access to the infernal regions was obtained by a lake is believed by the learned Marcus Ansello Scrutator to have suggested the Christian rite of baptism by immersion. This, however, has been shown by Lactantius to be an error.

  Facilis descensus Averni,
      The poet remarks; and the sense
  Of it is that when down-hill I turn I
      Will get more of punches than pence.

—Jehal Dai Lupe

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AUSTRALIA