6. Plin. Hist. Natur. v. 15. Gens sola, et in toto orbe
praeter ceteras mira, sine ulla femina, omni venere
abdicata, sine pecunia, socia palmarum. Ita per seculorum
millia (incredibile dictu) gens aeterna est in qua nemo
nascitur. Tam fecunda illis aliorum vitae poenitentia est.
He places them just beyond the noxious influence of the
lake, and names Engaddi and Masada as the nearest towns. The
Laura and monastery of St. Sabas could not be far distant
from this place. See Reland, Palestin. tom. i. p. 295; tom.
ii. p. 763, 874, 880, 890.