Page:The Natural History of Pliny.djvu/246

 212 PLIT^l's NATUEAL HISTOET. [Book III. smaller island, 40 miles in lengtli, and 150^ in circumference; it contains the states of Jamnon^, Sanisera, and Magon^. In the open sea, at twelve miles' distance from the larger island, is Capraria"^ with its treacherous coast, so notorious for its numerous shipwrecks ; and, opposite to the city of Palma, are the islands known as the Maenarise^, Tiquadra*^, and Little Hannibalis". The earth of Ebusus has the effect of driving awaj serpents, while that of Colubraria produces them ; hence the latter spot is dangerous to all persons who have not brought with them some of the earth of Ebusus. The G-reeks have given it the name of Ophiusa^. Ebusus too produces no^ rabbits to destroy the harvests of the Baleares. There are also about twenty other small islands in this sea, which is full of shoals. Off the coast of Graul, at the mouth of the Hhodanus, there is Metina^*^, and near it the island which is known as Blascon", with the three StoBchades, so called by their neighbours the Massilians^^, on account of the regular order in which they are placed; their respective names are Prote^^, Mese^^, also ^ The circumference is about 110 miles, the length 32. 2 Now Ciudadela. ^ Now Port Malion. The site of Sanisera, which was probably more inland, is unknown. 4 Now Cabrera. The distance is not twelve, but nine mUes. 5 Now called the Malgrates. 6 Now Dragonera. 7 Now El Torre. ^ As already mentioned he seems to confound Formentera, which was called Ophiusa, with the present group of Columbrete, which islands were probably called Colubraria. 5 The former editions mostly omit " nee " ; and so make it that Ebusug does produce the rabbits. Certamly, it does seem more likely that he would mention that fact than the absence of it, which even to Phny could not appear very remarkable. 1" D'Anville thinks that this is Metapina, but D'Astnic thinks that the flat islands, called Les Tignes, are meant. 11 Now called Brescon, near Agde, according to D'Anville. 12 Who were of Greek origin, and so called them, because they stood in a row, (xrot^^os. 13 Now called Porqueroles. Prote signifies the first, Mese the middle one, and Hypcea the one below the others. 1'* Now Port Croz. D'Anville considers that Phny is mistaken in identifying this island with Pomponiana or Pompeiana, whieh he con- siders to be the same with the peninsula now called Calle de Giens, which lies opposite to Porqueroles.