Chap. 37.] ACCOUNT OF COTJNTKIES, ETC. 107 



CHAP. 37. (32.) THE FOETtnSTATE ISLANDS. 



There are some authors who think that beyond these are the 

 Fortunate Islands,"' and some others ; the number of which 

 Sebosus gives, as well as the distances, informing us that Juno- 

 nia ™ is an island seven hundred and fifty miles distant from 

 Gades. He states also that Pluvialia^' and Capraria** are the 

 same distance from Junonia, to the west ; and that in Pluvi- 

 alia the only fresh water to be obtained is rain water. He 

 then states that at a distance of two hundred and fifty miles 

 from these, opposite the left of Mauritania, and situate in the 

 direction of the sun at the eighth hour, are the Fortunate 

 Islands,^ one' of which, frota its undulating surface, has the 

 name of Invallis," and another that of Planasia,^ from the pe- 

 culiarity* of its appearance. He states also that the circumfe- 

 rence of Invallis is three hundred miles, and that trees grow 

 to a height of one hundred and fourteen feet. 



Eelative to the Fortunate Islands, Juba has ascertained the 

 following facts : that they are situate to the south in nearly a 

 due westerly direction, and at a- distance from the Purple 

 Islands of six hundred and twenty-five miles, the sailing being 

 made for two hundred and fifty miles due west, and then three 

 hundred and seventy-five towards the east.'' He states that 

 the first is called Ombrios,^ and that it presents no traces of 

 buildings whatever ; that among the mountains there is a lake, 

 and some trees,'' which bear a strong resemblance to giant 



5' Or Islands bf the Blessed — the modem Canaries. 



™ Supposed to be the modem island of Fuerteventura. 



" Supposed to be that now called Ferro. 



5^ Probably the modem Gomera. In B. iv. c. 36, PUny mentions them 

 as six in number, there being actually seven. 



^ He does not appear on this occasion to reckon those already men- 

 tioned as belonging to the group of the Fortunatse Insulse. 



^ The present Isle of Tenenffe. 



^ Supposed to be that now called Gran Canaria. 



^ The smoothness of its surface. - 



8' It is impossible to see clearly what he means. Littre says that it 

 has been explained by some to mean, that from the Purpurarise, or Madeira 

 Islands, it is a course of 250 miles to the west to the Fortunatse or Canary 

 Islands ; but that to return from the Fortunatse to the Purpurariae, required 

 a more cil-cuitous route in an easterly direction. 



«« Or PluTialia, the Eainy Island, preTiously mentioned. 



»3 Salmasius thinks that the sugar-cane is here alluded to. Hardouin 



