Book 16
4.14
On this coast there are two very large lakes extending as far as the promontory Pytholaus.Perhaps Zeila. Strabo is here describing the coast of the modem kingdom of Adel. One of them contains salt water, and is called a sea; the other, fresh water, and is the haunt of hippopotami and crocodiles. On the margin grows the papyrus. The ibis is seen in the neighbourhood of this place. The people who live near the promontory of Pytholaus (and beginning from this place) do not undergo any mutilation in any part of their body. Next is the country which produces frankincense; it has a promontory and a temple with a grove of poplars. In the inland parts is a tract along the banks of a river bearing the name of Isis, and another that of Nilus,The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea indicates on this coast a place called Niloptolemaeum, which appears to correspond with the mouth of the river Pedra. Gossellin. both of which produce myrrh and frankincense. Also a lagoon filled with water from the mountains; next the watch-post of the Lion, and the port of Pythangelus. The next tract bears the false cassia. There are many tracts in succession on the sides of rivers on which frankincense grows, and rivers extending to the cinnamon country. The river which bounds this tract produces (phlous) rushesPhleus schaeoris. Linn. in great abundance. Then follows another river, and the port of Daphnus,Daphnus Parvus of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. and a valley called Apollo’s, which bears, besides frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon. The latter is more abundant in places far in the interior.
