S66 Mr Jameson on the Natural History and Statistics 



triangular. The west, side and base are much indented when 

 compared with the east, and it is singular that the two best and 

 only ports worthy of notice are situated, the one called Kapsali, 

 at the south-west angle, and the other, San Nicolo, at the south- 

 east angle ; the other part used as a port is called Santa Pelagia, 

 and is merely an open beach situated on the north-east coast. 



Port Kapsali, being the site of the city, is the only place 

 where vessels obtain pratique, or are allowed to perform qua- 

 rantine. Two lateral chains are sent off from the St* Elessa 

 range, one from Mount Elessa, running nearly north and south, 

 forming the west side of the harbour, and the other from Mount 

 Kindinus, a subordinate range of which forms the east side ; but 

 the harbour is partially divided by a mass of rock projecting from 

 its upper part, making two ports within the great harbour, the 

 east, called (from its appropriation) Quarantine, and the west 

 Kapsali, being double the size of the former. In Kapsali, the 

 water is deep enough for ships of any burden ; while Quaran- 

 tine is shallow, and only fit for minor vessels. Unfortunately, 

 however, Kapsali is much exposed to the violent SW. and SE. 

 gales which blow frequently during the year. 



Port San Nicolo is an indentation on the east side of the bay 

 of the same name, of a truncated triangular shape, the apex 

 being its mouth : its basis is notched at the two angles, forming 

 inner harbours, the west one being small when compared with 

 the east. The greatest length of the port is 280 yards, and of 

 the largest notch 150 yards : the broadest part of the port 

 measures 150 yards, and of the notch 90 yards. The deepest 

 part of the port is 20 yards, and of the notch 6 yards. Even 

 close inland of the notch, the depth of water varies from 5 to 

 17 feet, and in the port from 12 to 40 feet. This harbour is 

 sheltered from every wind that blows, has good anchorage- 

 ground, and is much liked by mariners who frequent the Le- 

 vant. 



In Cerigotto there are four ports, but all so bad as even to be 

 dangerous for boats. The largest is on the north coast, and 

 called Potamo, on account of a streamlet discharging itself into 

 it. The next in importance is Camerilla, facing the SW., a 

 small creek, half filled up, and its entrance obstructed by rocks^ 



