3 so Mr Forbes's Physical Notices of the Bay of Naples, 



flanks of Epomeo to a great height above the sea, leaves its 

 scarped summit magnificently insulated to every wind of hea- 

 ven, and its crumbling materials have been picturesquely 

 blanched into a grayish white hue, by the weathering of cen- 

 turies. Pretty extensive vineyards are in some places culti- 

 vated, but such is the profusion of rocky masses, especially on 

 the north side of the island, that the labour of clearing the 

 ground, which is but imperfectly done, is enormous ; and in 

 order to dispose of the stones, walls are built round them in 

 great numbers and of immense height, leaving only narrow 

 rugged lanes between, which give the country a most peculiar 

 appearance. The general view from a distance is, however, 

 fortunately not much spoilt by these interminable-looking 

 walls. This arises from the extreme ruggedness of the ground, 

 the abundant interspersed verdure, and the still more fortu- 

 nate circumstance of the green colour, which tinges all the 

 rocks of this district, and renders them less glaring. So enor- 

 mous are some of the masses hurled from higher situations, 

 that any attempt to remove them appearing fruitless, they 

 have, from the soft nature of the rock, been hewn entirely out 

 into wine cellars. 



The circumference of the Island of Ischia along the water's 

 edge is eighteen miles, its length from west to east only five, 

 and its breadth from north to south three. It contains a con- 

 siderable number of villages, of which that adjoining the castle 

 of Ischia, and properly called Celso, is the capital, and con- 

 tains 4000 souls, and the entire population amounts to about 

 24,000, who live almost entirely on the productions of their 

 vineyards. * Foria is the next largest town to Ischia, and 

 there are besides eight or nine smaller villages, some of which 

 are very straggling. Most of these are close to the sea, and 

 a good deal of fishing is carried on : but the food of the poorer 

 classes consists of dried figs, which are grown on the island. 

 The quantity of grain is so small as to be insufficient for the 

 internal consumption ; olives might probably be cultivated 

 with advantage, but owing to their expence, and the time they 

 require before fruiting, they have not yet been introduced. 



• Siano, Notizie dell' Isola d' Ischia. 



.3 



