Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/415

 Chap. 1.] ACCOUNT OF COUNTRIES, ETC. 881 and it is a well-known fact, that on the flight of the bar- barians our troops reached Mount Atlas. It became a boast, not only among men of considar rank, and generals selected from the senate, who at that time held the command, but among persons of equestrian rank as well, who after that period held the government there, that they had penetrated as far as Mount Atlas. There are, as we have already stated, five Eoman colonies in this province ; and it may very possibly ap- pear, if we listen only to what report says, that this mountain is easily accessible. Upon trial, however, it has been pretty generally shown, that all such statements are utterly fal- lacious ; and it is too true, that men in high station, when they are disinclined to take the trouble of inquiring into the truth, through a feeling of shame at their ignorance arc not averse to be guilty of falsehood ; and never is implicit credence more readily given, than when a falsehood is sup- ported by the authority of some personage of high considera- tion. Por my own part, I am far less surprised that there are still some facts remaining undiscovered by men of the eques- trian order, and even those among them who have attained senatorial rank, than that the love of luxury has left any- thing unascertained ; the impulse of which must be great indeed, and most powerfully felt, when the very forests are ransacked for their ivory and citron-wood and all the rocks of Gaetulia are searched for the nuirex and the purple. From the natives, liowever, we learn, that on the coast, at a distance of 150 miles from the Salat, the river Asana- pre- sents itself; its waters are salt, but it is remarkable for its fine harbour. They also say that after this we come to a river known by the name of Fut^, and then, after crossing another called Yior which lies on the road, at a distance of 200 miles we arrive at Dyris'*, such being the name which in their language they give to Mount Atlas. According to their liad boon on terms of strict aUiance with the Roman peo]ilc, who had decreed him a ioga picta and a sceptre, as a mark of their friendship. ' IvoiT and citron-wood, or cedar, were used for the making and in- laying of the tables used by the Roman nobility. See B. xiii. c. 23. 2 Supposed by some geograi)hers to be the modem Wach-Tensiil. It has been also confounded with the Anatis (see note p. 3G9) ; while others agam identify it with the Anidus. It is more coninionly spelt 'Asama.' ^ Or Phuth. It does not a]>pear to huvc been identilied.
 * The range is still called by the name oi" Uaran.