TURKISH OR GRECIAN ISLES. 607 



The principal article of its trade is salt. The town of St. Maura con- 

 tains about 6000 inhabitants, and is well fortified. Port Drepano in this 

 island is an excellent harbour. 



Cefalonia, the ancient Cephallenia, is situate opposite the Gulf 

 of Lepanto, anciently the Sea of Crissa, and is about 40 miles in. 

 length, and from 10 to 20 in breadth. The climate is extremely mild; 

 flowers bloom in the season which corresponds to winter, and the 

 trees bear ripe fruits twice in the year, in April and November, but 

 those of the latter month are smaller than the others. The number 

 of inhabitants in this island is between 60 and 70,000. The chief arti- 

 cles of commerce are oil, muscadine wine, and the species of grapes 

 called currants.* The principal town is of the same name. 



Theaki, or Little Cefalonia, a small island opposite Cefalonia, 

 claims particular notice, because it was the ancient Ithaca, the 

 birth-place and kingdom of Ulyssis. It contains only about 3000 in- 

 habitants. The name of the principal town is Valthi, which has a spa- 

 cious harbour. 



Zante, the ancient Zacynthus, is situate opposite the western 

 coast of the Morea, and is about 14 miles long and 8 broad. The 

 climate and produce is similar to those of the other islands. Its prin- 

 cipal riches consists in currants, which are cultivated in a large plain 

 under the shelter of mountains, which gives the sun greater power 

 to bring them to maturity. Here are also the finest peaches in the 

 world, each weighing eight or ten ounces. The number of inhabi- 

 tants in this island is about 30,000. The principal town is Zante„ 

 which is fortified and has a good harbour. 



Cerigo, the ancient Cythera, according to the mythologists the 

 favourite residence of Venus, is situate to the south-east of the Mo- 

 rea, and is about 50 miles in circumference. The greater part of it 

 is mountainous and rocky, but the rest produces corn, and excellent 

 grapes. The town of San Nicolo in this island has a fort and a good 

 road for ships. 



* So called from a corruption of Corinth, whence the vines were originalH- 

 brought 



THE END OF VOLUME J- 



