Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 3.djvu/293

Rh (in Spanish, Menorca) are obtained from the Latin Major and Minor, through the Byzantine forms MaiopiKa and while Iviza is plainly the older Ebusus, a name of, probably, Carthaginian origin. The Ophiusa of the Greeks (Colubraria of the Romans) is now known as Formentera.    Sketch Map of the Balearic Islands.     Majorca is the largest island of the group, having an | area of 1430 square miles. Its shape is that of a trape- zoid, with the angles directed to the cardinal points ; and its diagonal, from Cape Grozer in the W. to Cape Pera in the E., is about sixty miles. On the N.W. the coast is highly precipitous, but on the other sides it is low and sloping. On the N.E. there are several considerable bays, of which the chief are those of Alcudia and Pollenza ; while on the S.W. is the still more important bay of Palma. No fewer than twelve ports or harbours are enumerated round the island, of which may be mentioned Andraix, Seller, and Porto Colom. In the N.W. Majorca is traversed by a chain of mountains running parallel with the coast, and attaining its highest elevation in Silla de Torillas, 4600 feet above the sea. Towards the south and east the surface is comparatively level, though broken by isolated peaks of con siderable height. The northern mountains afford great protection to the rest of the island from the violent gales to which it is exposed, and render the climate remarkably mild and pleasant, while the heats of summer are tempered by the sea-breezes. The scenery of Majorca is varied and beautiful, with all the picturesqueness of outline that usually belongs to a limestone formation. Some of the valleys, such as those of Valdemoza and Seller, with their luxuriant vegetation, are delightful resorts. There are quarries of marble, of various grains and colours those of Santagny, in the partido of Manacor, being especially celebrated ; while lead, iron, and cinnabar have also been obtained. Coal of a jet-like character is found at Benisalem, where works were commenced in 1836, at Selva, where it has been mined since 1851, near Santa Maria, and elsewhere. It is used in the industrial establishments of Palma, and in the manufacture of lime, plaster, and bricks, in the neighbour hood of the mines, a considerable quantity being also exported to Barcelona. The inhabitants are principally devoted to agriculture, and most of the arable land of the islands is under cultivation. The mountains are terraced ; and the old pine woods have in many places given place to the olive, the vine, and the almond tree, to fields of wheat and flax, or to orchards of figs and oranges. For the last- mentioned fruits the valley of Soller is one of the most important districts, the produce being largely transmitted to France, and realising about 25,000 per annum. The oil harvest is very considerable, and Inca is the centre of the oil district. The wines are light but excellent, especi ally the Muscadel and Montona. The agricultural methods of the islands are still somewhat primitive, but the intro duction of machinery indicates improvement, as well as the drainage, by an English company, of a marsh and lake, 8000 acres in extent, near the town of Alcudia. During the summer there is often great scarcity of water; but, according to a system handed down by the Moors, the rains of autumn and winter are collected in enormous reservoirs, which contain sufficient water to last through the dry season ; and on the payment of a certain rate, each landholder in turn has his fields flooded at certain intervals. Mules are used in the agriculture and traffic of the island. The cattle are small, but the sheep are large and well fleeced. Pigs are largely reared, and exported to Barcelona. There is abundance of poultry and of small game. A good deal of brandy is made and exported. Excellent woollen and linen cloths are woven. The silk worm is reared, and its produce manufactured; and canvas, rope, and cord are largely made, from both native and foreign materials. The average value of the imports of the island is 550,000, and the exports amount to rather more. The roads are excellent, the four principal being those from Alcudia, Manacor, Soller, and Andraix to the capital. A railway is in course of construction from Palma by Inca to Alcudia, and the stock is all held by Mallorquins. A telegraphic line passes from Palma to &quot;Valcenia, and there is regular steam communication with Barcelona and Alicante. A Majorcan bank has been established, and a credit association for the development of the resources of 