CHAPTER IV.

THE OASIS OF AMMON.

The place where the temple of Ammon is located is entirely surrounded

by a desert of far-stretching sand, which is destitute of water. The

fertile spot in the midst of this desert, is not extensive; for where

it stretches into its greater expanse, it is only about forty stades

broad.[368] It is full of cultivated trees, olives and palms; and it

is the only place in those parts which is refreshed with dew. A spring

also rises from it, quite unlike all the other springs which issue from

the earth.[369] For at midday the water is cold to the taste, and

still more so to the touch, as cold as cold can be. But when the sun

has sunk into the west, it gets warmer, and from the evening it keeps

on growing warmer until midnight, when it reaches the warmest point.

After midnight it goes on getting gradually colder; at daybreak it is

already cold; but at midday it reaches the coldest point. Every day it

undergoes these alternate changes in regular succession. In this place

also natural salt is procured by digging, and certain of the priests

of Ammon convey quantities of it into Egypt. For whenever they set out

for Egypt they put it into little boxes plaited out of palm, and carry

it as a present to the king, or some other great man. The grains of

this salt are large, some of them being even longer than three fingers’

breadth; and it is clear like crystal.[370] The Egyptians and others

who are respectful to the deity, use this salt in their sacrifices, as

it is clearer than that which is procured from the sea. Alexander then

was struck with wonder at the place, and consulted the oracle of the

god. Having heard what was agreeable to his wishes, as he himself said,

he set out on the journey back to Egypt by the same route, according to

the statement of Aristobulus; but according to that of Ptolemy, son of

Lagus, he took another road, leading straight to Memphis.[371]