explorare: speculari (the former, to obtain information respecting anything, aliquid or de re; the latter, to spy out, whether from a higher position or by close observation; Vid: Caes., B.G., 1, 47. The latter refers rather to information gained by one’s own sight, the former to intelligence gained by means of others): cognoscere situm alicujus loci; cognoscere qualis (sit) natura alicujus loci (☞ not cognoscere, or recognoscere, aliquid): situm loci visere; naturam loci perspicere; situm loci perspeculari; visere aliquid (general term; e.g., copias hostium): to send to reconoitre, qualis (sit) natura loci qui cognoscant mittere; perspeculatores or exploratores cognoscere jubere.