BOOK VI. XXXVI. 198-201 



neither its size nor its distance from the mainland has 

 been ascertained, but it is reported to be inhabited 

 solely by Ethiopian tribes. Ephorus states that 

 vessels approaching it from the Red Sea are unable 

 because of the heat to advance beyond the Columns 

 — that being the name of certain small islands. 

 Polybius informs us that Cerne Ues at the extremity 

 of Mauretania, over against Mount Atlas, a mile 

 from the coast ; CorneUus Nepos gives it as being 

 nearly in the same meridian as Carthage, and 10 

 miles from the mainland, and as measuring not more 

 than 2 miles round. There is also reported to be 

 another island ofF Mount Atlas, itself also called 

 Atlantis, from Avhich a two days' voyage along the 

 coast reaches the desert district in the neighbour- 

 hood of the Western Ethiopians and the cape 

 mentioned above named the Horn of the West, §197 

 the point at which the coastUne begins to curve 

 westward in thc dircction of the Atlantic. Opposite 

 this cape also there are reported to be some islands, 

 the Gorgades, which were formerlv the habitation of 

 the Gorgons, and which according to the account of 

 Xenophon of Lampsacus are at a distance of two 

 days' sail from the mainland. These islands were 

 reached by the Carthaginian general Hanno," who 

 reported that the women had hair all over their 

 bodies, but that the men were so swift of foot that 

 they got away ; and he deposited the skins of two of 

 the female natives in the Temple of Juno as proof of 

 the truth of his story and as curiosities, where they 

 were on show until Carthage was taken by Rome. 

 Outside the Gorgades there are also said to be two 

 Islandsof the Ladiesofthe West ; andthe wholeof the 

 geography of this neighbourhood is so uncertain that 



487 



