Book 4
184.3
After another ten days' journey there is again a hill of salt, and water, and men living there. Near to this salt is a mountain called Atlas, whose shape is slender and conical; and it is said to be so high that its heights cannot be seen, for clouds are always on them winter and summer. The people of the country call it the pillar of heaven.
184.4
These men get their name, which is Atlantes, from this mountain. It is said that they eat no living creature, and see no dreams in their sleep.
185.1
I know and can tell the names of all the peoples that live on the ridge as far as the Atlantes, but no farther than that. But I know this, that the ridge reaches as far as the Pillars of Heracles and beyond them.
185.2
There is a mine of salt on it every ten days' journey, and men live there. Their houses are all built of blocks of the salt; for these are parts of Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya where no rain falls; for the walls, being of salt, could not stand firm if there were rain.
185.3
The salt there is both white and purple. Beyond this ridge, the southern and inland parts of Libya [17,25] (nation), AfricaLibya are desolate and waterless: there are no wild beasts, no rain, no forests; this region is wholly without moisture.
186.1
Thus from Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt to the Tritonian lake, the Libyans are nomads that eat meat and drink milk; for the same reason as the Egyptians too profess, they will not touch the flesh of cows; and they rear no swine.
