In the city called Utica in Libya, which is situated, as they say, on the gulf between the promontory of Hermes and that of Hippos, and about two hundred furlongs beyond Carthage (now Utica also is said to have been founded by Phoenicians two hundred and eighty seven years before Carthage itself, as is recorded in the Phoenician histories), men state that salt is obtained by digging at a depth of eighteen feet, in appearance white and not solid, but resembling the most sticky gum; and that when brought into the sun it hardens, and becomes like Parian marble; and they say that from it are carved figures of animals, and utensils besides.