Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 13.djvu/401

 C I S E 385 the honour on two occasions of giving birtli to a Byzantine emperor. The first of these, Zeno, in the 5th century (474-495 A.D.), was not calculated to reflect any lustre on his native country ; but at a later period Leo III., who ascended the throne of Constantinople in 718, and reigned till 741, was a monarch of vigour and capacity, and became the founder of a dynasty which ruled over the empire for three generations. IS CHI A, the ancient Pifhecitsa, sEnaria, or Liarime, and the mediaeval Iscla, a volcanic island of Italy, is situ ated at the north entrance to the Bay of Naples, about 15 miles south-west of the Cape of Miseno. The circumference, omitting the irregular indentations of the coast-line, is about 19 miles, and the superficial area about 26 square miles. Monte Epomeo or San Nicola, the ancient Epomeus or Epopeus, which rises to the height of 2600 feet above sea-level, is the highest point. The principal summit is surrounded by twelve inferior volcanic cones, from one of which the last eruption in the island took place in 1302. The valleys between the mountains and the plain which occupies a part of the interior are remarkable for their luxuriant vegetation and beautiful scenery. The vegetable products of Lschia are very rich and various. Most of the cultivated land is occupied by vines, from which a somewhat acrid white wine is manufactured. Corn, oil, and southern fruits are produced in luxuriant profusion. Oak and chest nut groves, thickets of myrtle and lentiscus, cotton-trees, mulberries, and arbutus stretch up the mountain sides and along the pastures. Iron and sulphur are found on the island, and bricks, tiles, and pottery are manufactured at Casamicciola. The great sources of wealth to the island are the numerous thermal mineral springs, which are among the strongest and most efficacious in Europe. Casamicciola is the headquarters of the water, hot-air, and sand baths, but Lacco is also popular in the season. Though the nominal bathing season lasts from June to September, the exquisite climate and lovely situation of Ischia allure visi tors all the year round. The island has suffered heavily from earthquakes. A very severe shock in March 1881 occasioned great loss of life and property. The inhabitants, about 25,000 in number, are distinguished by a peculiar dialect and figure, and are chiefly engaged in tillage and fishing. The chief town is Ischia (6500) on the east coast, the seat of a bishop, with an old castle of the 15th century. Other towns are Forio (6100) on the west coast, Casa micciola and Lacco on the north, Panza, and Moropano. Ischia was first colonized by Greeks from Chalcis in Eubcea, but although the colony rose to prosperity it was driven from the island by volcanic outbreaks. Similar convulsions dispersed a second colony established by Hiero of Syracuse. From the Neapolitans, who were the next settlers, the island passed into the hands of Rome, but Suetonius informs us that Augustus again restored it to Naples, in exchange for the inferior Caprete. The name of Ischia does not often occur in Roman history, but it seems to have been early in repute as a resort for invalids. After the fall of Rome, it suffered much and repeatedly at the hands of the successive invaders and rulers of Italy. In 1299 it was captured by Charles II. of Naples, since which time it has had a full share of the vicissitudes that are so characteristic of the history of Italian towns and provinces. ISCHL, a favourite watering-place in the district of Gmunden, Upper Austria, is beautifully situated on the peninsula formed by the junction of the rivers Ischl and Traun, and is surrounded by high mountains, present ing scenery of the finest description. It has mineral springs and numerous brine and brine-vapour baths. The brine used at Ischl has in 16 oz. 233 grains of chloride of sodium (common salt) and 15 grains of other solids. The principal buildings include the casino, erected in 1875, the town church, with fine frescoes, the theatre, the official buildings, and the imperial villa surrounded by a beau tiful park. Ischl first came into repute in 1822, and since that time the yearly advent of the imperial family and of many of the Austrian nobility has made it one of the most fashionable and prosperous spas of Europe. In the neighbourhood is a very productive salt-mine, which has been worked for more than three hundred years. The place has some trade in wood, gypsum, and chalk. The population in 1869 was 6842. See Kaau s Iscld d scs Environs, Vienna, 1879. ISEQHEM, a town of Belgium in the arrondissement of Roulers and the province of West Flanders, is situated on the small river Mandel, about 10 miles north-east of Courtrai. It has manufactures of linen, hats, and sugar. Tobacco is cultivated in the environs. The population in 1876 was 7753. ISERE, a department of south-eastern France, formed from the southern part of the old province of Dauphine, is bounded on the N. by the department of Ain, E. by Savoie and Hautes-Alpes, S. by Hautes-Alpes and Drome, and W. by Drome, Loire, and Rhone. It lies between 44 43 and 45 43 19&quot; N. lat., and between 4 43 32&quot; and 7 6 9&quot; E. long., being about 100 miles long from north west to south-east and 60 miles broad from north-east to south-west It derives its name from the river Isere, which flows through it from north-east to south-west. The Rhone, with several tributaries, is the other chief stream. Lake Paladuc is the largest of several lakes in the department. The surface is mountainous, especially in the south-east, which is occupied by lofty offshoots of the Alps, some of whose summits are covered with perpetual snow. The Belledonne, the Grandes-Rousses, the Oisans, the Grande Chartreuse, famous for its monastery, the Vercors, the Lans, and the Devoluy are the chief groups and ranges wbich are found either wholly or partly within Isere. The highest point is the Aiguille du Midi (9800 feet). Towards the north and west the country gradually slopes down in fertile terraces to the Rhone. The river valleys are remarkable for their extent and fertility ; that of Graisivaudan is reckoned one of the richest in France. The climate of Isere varies according to the irregularity of the surface, but is on the whole colder and ruder than is usual at its latitude. Agriculture occupies about four- fifths of the inhabitants, although less than half the total area is suited for cultivation. Wheat, barley, rye, oats, buckwheat, maize, potatoes, hemp, colza, and fruit, and, on the southern slopes, vines, walnuts, mulberries, and almonds, are the principal crops. Valuable pastures, on which mules and large flocks of sheep are bred, extend up the mountain to meet the large forests stretching down from the snow-line. Silkworms are reared easily and profitably ; fish is exported in considerable quantity to Paris ; and the cheese of the department is much esteemed. Gold and silver are found in small quantities. The chief minerals are coal, lignite, and iron ; but copper, lead, mercury, zinc, and antimony, with marble, gypsum, granite, porphyry, and slate, are also worked. After agriculture the chief industry is the working of the minerals ; glove- making occupies about 20,000 persons in and around Grenoble ; while the department is the leading district of France for the manufacture of paper. Wine, felt, silk, linen, cloth, beet-root sugar, straw-hats, brandy, glass, and other commodities are also manufactured. There is trade in iron, steel, and other metals, cement, lime, grain, wine, liqueurs, and gloves. Isere is divided into the arrondisse- ments of Grenoble, Vienne, La Tour-du-Pin, and Saint Marcellin, with 45 cantons and 558 communes. The chief town is Grenoble. The total area is 3200 square miles, and the population in 1866 was 581,386, and in 1876 581,099. ISERLOHN, chief town of a circle in the government district of Arnsberg and province of Westphalia, Prussia, is situated on the Baar, in a bare and hilly region, 1 7 miles XIII. 49