The literary parallels between Catullus 10 and 12, Martial III 12 and Priap. 10, all containing the metaphor of sal (pointing at urbane manners) are a clear indication of the correctness of the old conjecture salsa for the manuscripts’ falsa which seems to characterize the membrum uirile of Priapus as ‘wrong’ or ‘useless’. The mentioned parallels in contrast show that the main theme of Priap. 10 is the rawness of the wooden statue – a lack of sophistication which is condemned by Catullus and Martial but treated in a kind of self-mockery by the Priapea.