country intersected by large mountains, from which they say the river Lixus flows.  In the neighbourhood of the mountains lived the Troglodytes, men of various appearances, whom the Lixitae described as swifter in running than horses.  Having procured interpreters from them, we coasted along a desert country towards the south for two days; and thence again proceeded towards the east the course of a day.  Here we found in the recess of a certain bay a small island, having a circuit of five stadia, where we settled a colony, and called it Cerne.  We judged from our voyage that this place lay in a direct line with Carthage; for the length of our voyage from Carthage to the Pillars was equal to that from the Pillars to Cerne.  We then came to a cape, which we reached by sailing up a large river called Chrete.  The lake had three islands larger than Cerne; from which, proceeding a day’s sail, we came to the extremity of the lake.  This was overhung by huge mountains, inhabited by savage men, clothed in skins of wild beasts, who drove us away by throwing stones, and hindered us from landing.  Sailing thence, we came to another river, that was deep and broad, and full of crocodiles and river horses (hippopotami), whence returning back, we came again to Cerne.  Thence we sailed towards the south for twelve days, coasting along the shore, the whole of which is inhabited by Ethiopians, who would not wait our approach, but fled from us.  Their language was unintelligible, even to the Lixitae who were with us.  On the last day we approached some large mountains covered with trees, the wood of which was sweet-scented and variegated.  Having sailed by these mountains for two days, we came to an immense opening of the sea; on each side of which, towards the continent, was a plain; from which we saw by night fire arising at intervals, either more or less.

“Having taken in water there, we sailed forward during five days near the land, until we came to a large bay, which our interpreter informed us was called ‘the Western Horn.’  In this was a large island, and in the island a salt-water lake, and in this another island, where, when we had landed, we could discover nothing in the daytime except trees; but in the night we saw many fires burning, and heard the sound of pipes, cymbals, drums, and confused shouting.  We were then afraid, and our diviners ordered us to abandon the island.  Sailing quickly away thence, we passed by a country burning with fires and perfumes; and streams of fire supplied thence fell into the sea.  The country was untraversable on account of the heat.  So we sailed away quickly from there also, being much terrified; and, passing on for four days, we observed at night a country full of flames.  In the middle was a lofty fire, larger than the rest, which seemed to touch the stars.  When day came, we discovered it to be a huge hill, called ‘the Chariot of the Gods.’  On the third day after our departure thence, after sailing by streams