Chap. 37.] 
ACCOUOT Of COUNTltlES, ETC. 
107 
CHAP. 37. (32.) THE EORTTOATE 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, from 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 
59 Or Islands of the Blessed— the modern Canaries. 
60 Supposed to be the modern island of Fuerteventura. 
61 Supposed to be that now called Ferro. 
82 Probably the modern Gomera. In B. iv. c. 36, Pliny mentions them 
as six in number, there being actually seven. 
63 He does not appear on this occasion to reckon those already men- 
tioned as belonging to the group of the Fortunatse Insulae. 
6^ The present Isle of Teneriffe. 
65 Supposed to be that now called Gran Canaria. ^ 
66 The smoothness of its surface. 
6"^^ It is impossible to see clearly what he means. Littre says that it 
has been explained by some to mean, that from the Purpurariae, 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 Purpurarise, required 
a more circuitous route in an easterly direction. 
68 Or Pluvialia, the Rainy Island, previously mentioned. 
69 Salmasius thinks that the sugar-cane is here alluded to. Hardouin 
