C6 ISLAND OF PATMOS. 
CHAP extolling its fertility 1 . From all that we could 
collect upon the subject, it is as capable of 
repaying the labours of husbandry as any other 
of the neighbouring isles, were it not for the 
danger to which property is exposed, from the 
continual incursions of the pirates. Its har- 
bours render it an important station, as a place 
of commerce: but the circumference of the 
whole island does not exceed eighteen miles, 
although, according to Pliny, it be equal to 
thirty 2 . It seems to have been hardly known 
before the Christian aera. Strabo merely notices 
its situation as one of the Sporades, near to 
s, Lebinthus, and Leria 3 . 
view of As we sailed to the northward of the island, 
i'rtWlOf. 
we were surprised to see Samos so distinctly in 
view. It is hardly possible that the relative 
situation of Samos and Patmos can be accurately 
laid down in D'Anville 's, or any more recent 
chart ; for keeping up to windward, we found 
ourselves to be so close under Samos, that we had 
a clear view, both of the island and of the 
(l) Dapper, p. 179. Amat. 1703. Georgirenez, Sfe. 
(V) Hist. Nat. lib. iv. cap. 12. torn. I. p. 224. L, Bat. 1835. 
(3) nAj<r/ J' Itrri xitl it Itxrftit, *.. T. X. Strabtn- Gee*, lib. xvii 
p. 712. 0n. 1807. 
